... actually represent opposite extremes of an individual living in American society. Babbitt, in the pre-Depression 1920s, is conformity in every aspect. He cannot form his own opinions without relying on the views of others and decides to emphasize the material aspects of life. He is an aspiring socialite ... politics are not essentially necessary to live in a peaceful world. Regarding the details of everyday living, Thoreau selects a simple menu to live upon, and with the trial of a few experiments, concludes that one only needs the bare minimum of food to survive. Thoreau's simplemindedn...

• Word Count: 3576
• Approx Pages: 14
• Grade Level: High School