# Madeline Fox — Arrowsmith character guide

> Madeline Fox in Arrowsmith by Sinclair Lewis.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Madeline, Maddy, Fox

**First appearance:** 0005-iii

## Who they are

A poetic, willowy young woman who briefly courts Martin in medical school.

## Relationships

### [Martin Arrowsmith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/characters/martin_arrowsmith)

_romantic_

Madeline is a flirtatious, socially ambitious woman who briefly pursues Martin during his medical school days, representing a conventional path he rejects.

### [Martin Arrowsmith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/characters/martin_arrowsmith)

_romantic_

Madeline is a flirtatious, socially ambitious woman who briefly pursues Martin during his medical school days, representing a conventional path he rejects.

### [Martin Arrowsmith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/characters/martin_arrowsmith)

_romantic_

Madeline is a flirtatious, socially ambitious woman who briefly pursues Martin during his medical school days, representing a conventional path he rejects.

## In the story

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/iv)

Madeline is a handsome, cultured, and opinionated girl who considers herself a connoisseur of literature and tennis. She values social position and practicality, which creates tension with Martin's scientific idealism.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/vii)

Martin occasionally thinks of her during the summer and feels devastatingly lonely for her.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/i)

Martin turns to her again after considering dropping out of medical school.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/ii)

Hosts the New Year's party, displaying tact and social skill as she manages guests and flirts with Martin.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/iii)

The object of Martin's desire; she is present but constrained by her mother's presence, and shares a brief, sweet kiss with Martin.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/iv)

Organizes an orgy of jocund but tiring entertainments; calls Martin 'Martykins'; is described as a literary bird who knows all about literature except how to read.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/v)

Confesses her insecurities and academic failures to Martin, revealing her fear of returning to her hometown and her desire to be taken seriously.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/vi)

Whispers to Martin about attending church with her mother; chatters chastely during the service.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/vii)

Continues to badger Martin about his vulgarity and ambition, leading to their final quarrel.

### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/vi)

Martin's fiancée; their engagement is strained by intellectual and religious differences.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/i)

Corresponds with Martin over the summer, re-engages with him, but later sneers at his friends and interests.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/ii)

Mentioned as the recipient of Martin's inconsistent, scrawled letters during his busy junior year.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/iii)

Martin's fiancée; he neglects her while pursuing Leora.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/iv)

Martin's fiancée; she is affectionate and trusting, unaware of his feelings for Leora.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/v)

Condescends to Leora during lunch, then gracefully withdraws after learning of Martin's double engagement.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/vii)

Madeline is a romantic interest of Martin, representing societal expectations of marriage and conformity.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/i)

Mentioned as the object of a rousing duel in contrast to Leora's serene comradeship.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/vi)

Mentioned as one of the 'Nice American Girls' Martin was aware of before his marriage.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/characters/madeline_fox
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/characters