Babbit
George F. Babbitt, a middle-aged real estate broker, is merely a stereotypical middle class business man. He enjoys all the modern conveniences available to a man of his social class, but he is dissatisfied with his life. The novel Babbitt, by Sinclair Lewis, follows this ordinary man through many trials and tribulations. Throughout the novel, Babbitt conforms to the social norm. One is never sure who George Babbitt really is because he is never sure who he is. As the novel progresses, we see Babbitt become an important person in his town of Zenith, only later to come crashing down in the end, with only a final shred of hope for something better. The novel chooses to forget many of the changes that occurred during the 1920’s. Some examples are the women’s movement, and the African-American movements. One of the most important themes in Babbitt is the way American society, though supposedly free and democratic, tells its citizens what they should think. America is able to do that, in large part, because citizens like Babbitt are too lazy to think for themselves. Just as Babbitt's furniture is the same as his neighbors', his ideas reflect the accepted norm. Babbitt is a satiric look at one man and at an enti
Babbitt is a mediocre man. He lives his life based on how society tells him to live. He has no consistent system of values, but believes that his values are uniform because he has worked hard. Babbitt has few opinions of his own, instead he merely recites from those in the editorial pages of the newspapers. Whenever he needs to impress anyone or settle arguments, he simply states what he has read. Babbitt is a booster, loudly promoting his city even when he does not understand what he is promoting. He takes pride in being modern, even though he knows nothing of the science and the engineering he salutes. Babbitt praises business ethics, but he is not above making shady deals with the Zenith Street Traction Company. He often talks about leading a moral life, but then goes to a brothel and indulges in an adulterous affair. Education and religion are merely means of getting ahead in real estate. Most important of all, Babbitt is able to see that his life has serious flaws and that he could be a better man than he is now. Much of the book is devoted to showing Babbitt trying to become that man. He escapes with Paul Riesling to the woods of Maine, which symbolize for him a masculine world, free and brave. He supports Seneca Doane's political crusade, though he isn't intelligent enough to choose really effective ways of rebelling, or is he strong enough to make his rebellion last. Babbitt is simply a man who knows he should be, and could be a better man, but does not have the will power to improve himself. All Babbitt can hope for as his story ends is that the next generation of Babbitts, represented by his son, Ted, will somehow manage to lead a better life. long ago. Nothing has changed except his own willingness to accept his fate. re society. George Babbitt represents the typical prosperous, middle aged American business man of the 1920’s. George Babbitt is complacent, unable to think for himself, and he is only concerned with appearance and social status. Babbitt is motivated only by the desire for superficial things. When driving to work he is inspired by the Zenith skyscrapers. His home consists of all the latest conveniences and appliances. The interior was decorated by the finest and most stylish contractors. On his way to work, a mechanic boost
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Approximate Word count = 1545
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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