3 Review(s)

Sylvia's Marriage: A Novel by Upton Sinclair is a sharp social criticism of marriage, gender roles, and the repression of women in early 20th-century society. The novel follows Sylvia, a woman who enters into marriage with romantic idealism but soon finds herself disillusioned by the constraints of domestic life and the suffocating norms of Victorian morality. Sinclair explores themes of emotional conflict, betrayal, and the psychological struggle women face within patriarchal systems. Sylvia’s journey is one of self-discovery as she grapples with the demands of marriage and her desire for personal freedom. The novel critiques the rigid social norms that dictate women’s rights and independence, revealing the inherent gender inequalities of the time. Sylvia’s battle for individuality and autonomy highlights broader feminist themes, as Sinclair portrays the oppressive dynamics of marriage and the cost of upholding traditional roles within a class-conscious society.