Essay - Lewis Sinclair's Babbitt- American Society Lewis Sinclair's Babbitt is Anything...

LEWIS SINCLAIR'S BABBITT- AMERICAN SOCIETY

***** Sinclair's Babbitt is anything but an ordinary character *****d this is evident from the fact that ***** is now part of our general vocabulary. As Hutchison notes, "Babbitt" has become a term in ***** vocabulary for the philistine businessman" (Pg. 7). He is a true representative of American upper-middle class society. It is important to remember that Babbitt is not a middle class member as many would argue but he is essentially a little hig*****r on the social stratificati***** ladder. This is clear from the abundance and affluence that he enjoys which is ***** always easily available to *****s of ***** middle class. But ***** is neit*****r a member of the upper elite class as he still possesses a conscious and is basically a self-m*****de man who worked hard to ***** part of t***** American bourgeo*****.

Though ********** novel was written more than 75 years ago, it is quite strange ***** see that Babbitt's character adequately portrays the ***** ***** class in ***** United States, complete with all its eccentricities and idiosyncrasies. Babbitt loves to possess material goods and believes that if he ***** surrounded with the same commodities that the rest of the members of this class possess, *****n he would be able t feel like a p*****rt ***** them. ***** has earned respect in the bus*****ess circle but has paid a huge price ***** *****. ***** is this price that disturbs him deeply and has created a void inside *****, ***** turns into open rebellion when his friend Paul is imprisoned for an alleged murder. This price is the loss of h***** idealism ***** suppression of his conscience.

Babbitt is a regular character ***** one can ***** relate to because of h***** essential suburban c*****aracteristics and temperament. Like most of upper-middle-***** Ameri*****s, Babbitt also values education without knowing exactly what goes on within the brick-walled buildings. He is a good husb***** but not exactly in love with his wife. Babbitt provides for his family and takes care of his resp*****sibilities ***** is not exactly as passionate about his relationship with ***** spouse as he would idealistically want to be. ***** is where the conflict arises and Babbitt realizes that despite all the right kind of possessions and a stable relationship, he was deep down an unhappy *****. The character displays all ***** characteristics of the American business-class society. Even the language that he uses to converse ***** o*****rs businessmen is typical of our ***** class. When he greets h***** friends at the Zenith Athletic Club, we can't ignore ***** style ***** interaction, which is so very typical of ***** class. 'How's the old Botsheviki? How do you feel, ***** morning after the night be*****e?' 'Oh, boy! Some head! That was a regular party you threw, Verg! Hope ***** haven't forgotten I took ***** last cute ***** jack-pot!' Babbitt bellowed...'That's all right now! What I'll hand you next time, Georgie! Say, juh notice in the paper the way ***** New York Assembly stood