# Erik Valborg — Main Street character guide > Erik Valborg in Main Street by Sinclair Lewis. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Valborg, this Erik Valborg **First appearance:** 0033-iv ## Who they are A dreamy young tailor who reads poetry and imagines Italian châteaux, and who mistakes Carol for the escape his small-town life keeps promising. ## Relationships ### [Carol Kennicott](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/main_street_se/characters/carol_kennicott) _romantic_ Carol is drawn to Erik's artistic sensitivity and youthful idealism, sharing a flirtatious and emotionally intense bond that challenges her marriage. ### [Carol Kennicott](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/main_street_se/characters/carol_kennicott) _romantic_ Carol is drawn to Erik's artistic sensitivity and youthful idealism, sharing a flirtatious and emotionally intense bond that challenges her marriage. ### [Carol Kennicott](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/main_street_se/characters/carol_kennicott) _romantic_ Carol is drawn to Erik's artistic sensitivity and youthful idealism, sharing a flirtatious and emotionally intense bond that challenges her marriage. ## In the story ### [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/main_street_se/chapters/xxi) Becomes a close friend to Carol, sharing her artistic sensibilities and providing an escape from her mundane life. ### [Chapter XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/main_street_se/chapters/xxv) A young man whose friendship with Carol becomes a source of scandal and emotional conflict. ### [Chapter XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/main_street_se/chapters/xxvi) Erik, a sensitive and artistic young tailor, becomes a confidant to Carol, sharing her appreciation for beauty and culture, but their friendship is viewed with suspicion by the townspeople. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/main_street_se/chapters/i) Erik Valborg is the subject of the gossip; a tailor working at Nat Hicks's shop, mocked for his refined manners, love of poetry, and intellectual pretensions. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/main_street_se/chapters/ii) The mysterious young man in church, later identified as an apprentice tailor, who captivates Carol with his appearance. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/main_street_se/chapters/iii) Erik Valborg is discussed but not present. He is described as a tailor who reads a lot, dresses flamboyantly, and is seen as an outsider by the townspeople. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/main_street_se/chapters/v) Erik expresses his artistic ambitions and desire to escape tailoring, seeking Carol's guidance. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/main_street_se/chapters/vi) Erik is described as lacking a conventional sense of humor, compared to Keats, and seen as a bewildered spirit on Main Street. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/main_street_se/chapters/vii) Erik makes bold artistic suggestions for the dramatic club, showing breadth of reading but poor judgment, and is met with hostility from Kennicott. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/main_street_se/chapters/i) A young tailor with artistic dreams, walks sullenly along the track, discusses his reading and aspirations with Carol, and decides to stay in town for a year to save money for art school. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/main_street_se/chapters/ii) Erik is described as having rough hands and a flabby will, but Carol wonders if sculptors might have thick hands too, suggesting his potential. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/main_street_se/chapters/iii) Enthusiastically plans the tournament but is snubbed by the Haydocks; walks home with Carol. ### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/main_street_se/chapters/iv) Shows Carol his sketch and tells her about studying Latin; resists being seen merely as a tailor. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/main_street_se/chapters/v) Erik is defended by Dave Dyer and admired by Mrs. Dave Dyer; Carol's fantasies increasingly center on him as the ideal artist. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/main_street_se/chapters/vi) Carol wonders what Erik could see in her, calling herself a 'wedded spinster'. ### [Chapter I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/main_street_se/chapters/i) Shows artistic sensitivity and charm; shares a romantic moment with Carol and is encouraged by her to pursue his ambitions. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/main_street_se/chapters/ii) Erik is seen at the picnic and church supper, where his awkwardness and desire to be liked are evident. Carol observes him with a mix of compassion and jealousy. ### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/main_street_se/chapters/iv) Confesses his love for Carol and considers working for Lyman Cass in the flour mill. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/main_street_se/chapters/xxxi) A young tailor with artistic aspirations who becomes a confidant to Carol, sharing her dissatisfaction with the town. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/main_street_se/chapters/i) He arrives unannounced, shares a tender moment with Carol, kisses her eyelid, and leaves when she insists on friendship. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/main_street_se/chapters/ii) Mentioned as the object of gossip; Carol sees him as a fellow outcast. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/main_street_se/chapters/iii) Carol thinks about Erik's aspirations and her hesitating fondness for him. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/main_street_se/chapters/iv) Mentioned in Carol's thoughts as the book-solaced alternative to Kennicott. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/main_street_se/chapters/v) Carol does not see him for a fortnight except at church and the tailor shop. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/main_street_se/chapters/ii) Carol briefly considers whether Erik might defend Fern, and wonders if her own connection to him fuels the town's malice. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/main_street_se/chapters/i) Meets Carol secretly for a walk, shares his dreams and past, and is later confronted by Kennicott. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/main_street_se/chapters/ii) Writes a farewell letter to Carol, deciding to leave for Minneapolis and then to New York or Chicago to pursue his ambitions and avoid causing her trouble. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/main_street_se/chapters/iii) Absent; his father comes looking for him, accusing Carol of involvement. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/main_street_se/chapters/vi) Carol thinks of him being in Minneapolis, uncertain of his whereabouts. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/main_street_se/chapters/iii) Referenced as the Swedish ne'er-do-well Carol liked, part of her reason for leaving. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/main_street_se/chapters/iii) Appears in a film under the name Eric Valour, playing a composer in a beret and velvet jacket. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/main_street_se/chapters/iii) Referenced as the Swede who worked for Nat Hicks and was close to Carol. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/main_street_se/characters/erik_valborg - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/main_street_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/main_street_se/characters