The Themes of Babbitt and The Grapes of Wrath
1. Babbitt is, simply put, a social conformist, totally ignorant to his version of the truth, and ignorant to such an extent that other opinions of lesser popularity are ridiculed. Babbitt feels, for the majority of the book, that the individual does what is politically effective, regardless of ethics and morals. He believes that everyman is different, and those in the high social rankings, like himself, are entitled to enjoy special privileges. Babbitt agrees with popular opinion because more people believe in it than other perspectives, even though it may be wrong or biased. Babbitt does not like to go against popular belief because he is afraid that he will lose his reputation in the community or his financial status. Babbitt, the social conformist, is willing to do anything that will elevate him to a higher level of liking and acceptance. His personality, his opinions, and his thought process are not really his, they are the product of listening and mimicking others. Babbitt is the antithesis of originality. I find this startling, because it is the entitlement to each man’s own opinion which makes America so unique. Yet these social associations like the Booster’s Club or the A
thletic Club can defeat this purpose. I question, what is a man if he cannot stand up for what he believes in? In terms of religion, Babbitt does not have a strong relation to. There is no reference at all in the novel of a religious childhood, especially one governed by austere parents. The only religious instance that occurred was with Reverend John Jennison Drew, the minister of Chatham Road Presbyterian Church. Babbitt, now a religious conformist, readily joins and devotes his energies to the Sunday School improvement committee, consisting of himself, Chum Frink, and William W. Eathorne. Eager to gain the friendship and social status of Mr. Eathorne, Babbitt spends his time trying to come up with various techniques to increase the attendance at Sunday School. He uses recent public relations and advertising techniques, trivial contests, and other educational novelties. Few of Babbitt’s schemes have to actually do with religion. Nonetheless, the plans work, and the church elevates its attendance from the 4th largest in Zenith to the 2nd. Babbitt also declares himself a devoutly religious person, yet has very little knowledge about denominational doctrines or biblical references. Again, Babbitt is out and about trying to elevate himself by any way possible. If one does not truly believe in something, than one shouldn’t commit himself to it as Babbitt did with the Sunday School project. In this case, Babbitt was being a selfish opportunist, seeking his own advancement in Zenith. 2. Both of these 20th century American novelists ar
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Approximate Word count = 1043
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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