In 1922, Sinclair Lewis published and distributed a book to the American public (and the world per-capita in other nations) called Babbitt, it highlights and talks about middle class America and how at times the characters in this satirical book can be hypocritical and once in a while, with self-righteous inclinations. The plot: Sinclair Lewis criticized and congratulated for his unorthodox writing style in Babbitt. After introducing George F. Babbitt, whose the main character of the book, as a middle-aged man, nimble in the calling of selling hoses for more people could afford to pay, Mr. Lewis presents a meticulously detailed description of Babbitts morning routine. Each item that Babbitt encounters is explaining, from the high-tech alarm clock, which Mr. Babbitt sees a marker of social status, to the rough camp blanket, a symbol of the freedom and heroism of the west. As he dresses for the day, Babbitt can templates each article of his Solid Citizen uniform, the most important being his Boosters club button, which he wars with pride. The first seven chapters in the book follows George F. Babbitts life over the course of a single day. Over breakfast Babbitt dotes on his 10 year old daughter Tinka, tries to dissuade his 22 year old daughter Verona from her new found socialist leanings, and enables his 17 year old son Ted to try harder in school. Also, Babbitt has a habit of blaming other people for his behavior. His argument with Myra is no different. he places the blame for his affair entirely on her. Such behavior is representative of the middle class in general as Lewis portrays it, the entire community of Zenith refuses to accept responsibility for its flaws. Babbitt and his business associates refuses to accept responsibility for their unethical practices or the inflated prices that result from them!
Posted on: Fri, 04 Jul 2014 21:40:53 +0000
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