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.