Analysis of Babbitt

The novel Babbitt exposes many problems, both moral and social, of the 1920s. The Roaring ‘20s was a time of an industrial revolution. Babbitt boats about his “best of nationally advertised & quantitatively produced alarm-clocks, with all the modern attachments” (5). He also feels intelligent in his new car and considers the acquisition of the engine a reflection on himself. Babbitt has gained most of this as a result of being a prosperous real estate salesman. However, American businesses during the 1920s were the culmination of hypocrisy and exploitation. Businesses publically supported Christianity only to increase their sales. Similarly, people’s commitment to religion was lacking.
People ‘practice’ religion for social conformity. Babbitt claims that church membership is important to him, but he doesn’t practice it nor can he explain his religious beliefs. Even while fundraising for the church, he plans for a ‘Christian Incorporated’. Some of Babbitt’s acquaintances, namely Mike Monday, say they became an evangelist for the money. Even Dr. Drew, a reverend, preaches only to make political statements. During the 1920s, spirituality was replaced by science as the main source of understanding the world.
Loss of religion and rise of technology contribute to Babbitt’s sense of lacking. Babbitt explains to Paul Riesling, his best friend, he has not achieved the American Dream. Despite everything he has and everything that he has been taught to want, he feels empty. Later on, Babbitt expresses to Ted that true happiness comes from pursuing and fulfilling one’s vision of success. In this novel, I believe that Ted represents the next generation and a new hope to achieve the American Dream.



This picture, Shiva, is a Hindu god. Shiva is the destroyer of the world. Shiva accurately represents the 1920s because there was an absense of religion. However, after Shiva destroys the world, Brahma, another Hindu god, recreates the world. Similarly, after the 1920s, there was a renewed hope that the American Dream could be achieved.

My Opinion

I liked Babbitt because although it was realistic, it was a satire. In Babbitt, Sinclair starts out exposing hypocrisy through jokes; however, by the end he shows the negative implications of the hypocrisy. One example of this is when the Good Citizens' League burns down the Zenith Socialist Headquarters and beats their staff. Babbitt is also facing the same challenges that many people, including myself, face today. He is searching for happiness and trying to decide whether to conform to a standardized society. There are also many similarities between the beliefs of the 1920s and current beliefs. In the 1920s, soon after World War I, Americans supported an increasingly conservative culture, demonstrated by Harding defeating Woodrow Wilson in the 1920 election promising to "return to normalcy". Currently, especially after 9/11, America has become more conservative such as the passing of the USA PATRIOT act, which included 2 anti-terrorism bills, just 45 days after the attacks.

Connection to The Great Gatsby

George Babbitt, similar to Gatsby and Nick, is from the Midwest. Both Gatsby and Babbitt seem to have achieved the American Dream, they both have material possessions, but they feel empty. This unhappiness leads to them fantasizing about being with a woman with whom they are happy; George dreams about a fairy and Gatsby dreams about his image of Daisy. Although they both think that being with this woman will fix their current situation, when they finally reach the woman, they are still unhappy. For Gatsby, he is still dissatisfied when Daisy doesn't say that she loved him. For Babbitt, his affair pleases him only until the emotional burden becomes to heavy. In both novels, there is a lack of religion; when asked George Wilson says he hasn't attended church since his marriage and Babbitt neither practices religion nor is familiar with the Bible. Finally there is a void in the social life. Babbitt, in addition to having a passionless marriage, doesn't enjoy his dinner parties. Tom also has a passionless marriage. Finally, Gatsby distances himself from the extravagant parties he throws.

Summary

George F. Babbitt is 46 yr old successful middle-class real estate salesman living in Midwestern city Zenith. He has a wife, Myra, and 3 kids, Verona, Ted, and Tinka; however, he is has a sense of emptiness in his life and is constantly irritated by his family. He often has fantasies of a young fairy girl with whom he is happy. In an attempt to relieve some stress, Babbitt plans a trip to Maine with his friend, Paul Riesling. The trip is refreshing but he is dissatisfied again when he returns to Zenith. When he returns, he becomes increasingly rebellious, even going as far as partaking in an affair with an attractive widow, Tanis Judique. Meanwhile, Paul goes to jail for shooting his wife. Babbitt's sorrow increases his desire to break the social norm. His disappoints his conservative friends at the Boosters' club by supporting liberal politics and labor union strikes and refusing Vergil Gunch's invitation to join the Good Citizens' League. As a result of his political views, his business begins to fail and he is ignored by his friends. At the same time, his relationship with Tanis begins to fade when she becomes "emotionally demanding". When Myra falls ill with appendicitis, Babbitt gets the motivation and excuse to repent for his immoral behavior and join the Good Citizens' League. However, Babbitt's period of rebellion does alter his perspective on life. When Ted elopes with Eunice Littlefield, explaining that he doesn't want to complete his college degree, Babbitt urges him to pursue his ideals without fearing what others will think of him.

Profile

Interests: Alcohol, Baseball, Golf, Bridge, Motoring, Film (especially ones with pretty girls)
Education: College Degree
Work Exp: Real Estate Salesman
Family: Myra Babbitt, Ted Babbitt, Verona Babbitt, Tinka Babbitt
Friends: Paul Riesling, Henry T. Thompson
Member of: the Boosters, the Elks, the Chamber of Commerce, the Good Citizens' League, William Eathorne's bank, Street Traction Company