Babbitt Sinclair Lewis

LEWIS SINCLAIR'S BABBITT- AMERICAN SOCIETY Lewis Sinclair's Babbitt is anything but an ordinary character and this is evident from the fact that Babbitt is now part of our general vocabulary. As Hutchison notes, "Babbitt" has become a term in our 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 higher on the social stratification ladder.

This is clear from the abundance and affluence that he enjoys which is not always easily available to members of American middle class. But Babbitt is neither a member of the upper elite class as he still possesses a conscious and is basically a self-made man who worked hard to become part of the American bourgeois.

Though the novel was written more than 75 years ago, it is quite strange to see that Babbitt's character adequately portrays the upper middle class in the United States, complete with all its eccentricities and idiosyncrasies. Babbitt loves to possess material goods and believes that if he is surrounded with the same commodities that the rest of the members of this class possess, then he would be able t feel like a part of them. He has earned respect in the business circle but has paid a huge price for that.

It is this price that disturbs him deeply and has created a void inside him, which turns into open rebellion when his friend Paul is imprisoned for an alleged murder. This price is the loss of his idealism and suppression of his conscience. Babbitt is a regular character that one can easily relate to because of his essential suburban characteristics and temperament. Like most of upper-middle-class Americans, Babbitt also values education without knowing exactly what goes on within the brick-walled buildings.

He is a good husband but not exactly in love with his wife. Babbitt provides for his family and takes care of his responsibilities but is not exactly as passionate about his relationship with his spouse as he would idealistically want to be. This 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 man. The character displays all the characteristics of the American business-class society.

Even the language that he uses to converse with others businessmen is typical of our suburban class. When he greets his friends at the Zenith Athletic Club, we can't ignore the style of interaction, which is so very typical of this class.

'How's the old Botsheviki? How do you feel, the morning after the night before?' 'Oh, boy! Some head! That was a regular party you threw, Verg! Hope you haven't forgotten I took that last cute little 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 the New York Assembly stood up to the reds?' 'You bet I did.

That was fine, the? Nice day today.' (49) Babbitt is a shallow figure for most part of the novel. While he is not entirely incapable of real friendship (Monarch Notes, 1963), still he is also guilty of the same shady ethical standards practiced by the other businessmen for selfish financial gains. His ability to remain friends with a complete opposite Paul, and his acceptance of dubious ethics highlight the conflict that marks this important character of Sinclair's novel.

Babbitt is a classic representative of American business class society and helps in bringing their problems, confusions, ethical standards, moral sense and desires to the fore. American business class is always.