Within the pages of The Gentleman from Indiana, one is perpetually struck by the portrayal of Indiana as the epitome of rural American excellence. Tarkington masterfully paints his beloved state in hues of admiration, celebrating the pride that its inhabitants cherish. In doing so, he foreshadows the fervent boosterism that later authors, such as Sinclair Lewis, would come to satirize.

The novel, steeped in romance, paints a vivid tapestry where the forces of good, embodied by the valiant hero John Harkless, ultimately conquer adversity. In later years, Tarkington would reflect on this romantic era of his writing with a tinge of patronizing affection. Yet, as an unwavering optimist, he steadfastly maintained his belief in the intrinsic goodness that resides in the world and its people.

True love is destined to prevail. The connection between John Harkless and Helen Sherwood is undeniable, as if the universe itself has woven their paths together. Though the novel concludes without the exchange of vows, their wedding ceremony looms on the horizon, assured by the tried-and-true conventions of romantic storytelling. This tale of joyful inevitability promises their union.

However, it is only years later in Alice Adams (1921) that Tarkington dares to defy these romantic assurances, crafting a narrative where the heroine finds herself without the man she desires. In this work, expectations are subverted, presenting a poignant twist in the tale of love's journey.