In the Sinclair Lewis novel Babbitt, the character of Babbitt is completely controlled by
the power of conformity. Conformity is so powerful that even after babbitt realizes the
stifling nature of the society in which he lives he is powerless to change his fate as a
member of conformist society.
George F. Babbitt is a man who is completely controlled by the conformist society in
which he lives. Pressure to conform lies in all aspects of Babbitt's life.
Relationships, family, social life, and business are all based on his ability to conform
to Zenith's preset standards of thought and action. All of Babbitt's thoughts are
controlled by society. Thoughts that are not those of society are frowned upon. "What
he feels and thinks is what is currently popular to feel and think. Only once during the
two years that we have him under view, does he venture upon an idea that is remotely
original-and that time the heresy almost ruins him."(Bloom)
At first the reader sees Babbitt as a person more than happy to conform to the standards
set for him by the rest of society. Babbitt goes about his normal routine praising
modern technology, material possessions and social status as ways to measure the worth of
an individual. In fact the readers first encounter with Babbitt sees him praising modern
technology. "It was the best of nationally advertised and quantitatively produced
alarm-clocks, with all modern attachments, including cathedral chime, intermittent alarm,
and a phosphorescent dial. Babbitt was proud of being awakened by such a rich
device."(Babbitt pg.3) Babbitt praises the technology of his alarm clock only because
it is a symbol of material worth and therefore social status.
All of Babbitt's actions and thoughts are controlled by the standards of Zenith. "His
every action is related to the phenomena of that society. It is not what he feels and
aspires to that moves him primarily; it is what the folks around him will
think."(Mencken). All of Babbitt's thoughts are those of society, and thoughts that are
not society's are ridiculed Babbitt works simply to raise his social status by means of
increasing his material worth. Babbitt belongs to many popular clubs, the purposes of
which he does not even completely understand. Why does Babbitt do these things? Babbitt
does these things to perform for the other members of society. He does everything
expected of him even if he does not expect those things of himself. Babbitt does these
things in hope of improving his social status. This conformist man is exactly who
Sinclair Lewis wanted to show the reader, a man who's life is based on the ideals and
standards of others. "Villages-overgrown towns-three -quarters of a million people still
dressing, eating, building houses, attending church, to make an impression on their
neighbors." (Lewis). This is what Lewis thought of American society and he used Babbitt
to voice his opinions to his readers. In fact that passage was intended to be included
in the original introduction of Babbitt, which was never published.
Babbitt does well in conformist society because in the beginning of the novel he accepts
all the standards, goals, ideals, likes, and dislikes of society. Babbitt's though
mirrors all those around him and he is therefore accepted in society. At first Babbitt
lives in the illusion of happiness. The happiness Babbitt experiences is not genuine
because he has replaced his desires with those of society. Since Babbitt is controlled
by society his goals are also controlled by it. The goals set by society are economic
and material worth, social standing, and conservative thought. Since Babbitt has
achieved, at least in part, these goals he is in a sense fooled into believing he is
truly happy. Babbitt's true desires however are not those of society he dreams of nature
instead of modernization, young women instead of his wife, adventure instead of
standardization, and he secretly sympathizes with certain groups he is supposed to
despise because of their non-conformist nature. Babbitt can dimly see the flaws in his
life but feels powerless to change his fate and become a better man. Babbitt feels the
pressure of conformist society and begins to witness the control it has over his life.
The true awakening of Babbitt to the nature of conformist society springs from his
friendship with Paul Riesling. Paul is Babbitt's only true friend and is the extreme
example of the stifling conformity in Zenith. Zenith's harsh conformity demands that
people give up their dreams and goals causing them to become unhappy later in life. Paul
is one of the only characters who can see Zenith for what it really is. Paul tells
Babbitt that Zenith is a place of cutthroat competition and conformity. He says that the
conformity in Zenith has ruined his dreams of becoming a fiddler, and instead forced him
to become a tar roofing salesman. He makes a very important observation about the
citizens of Zenith. "one third of 'em are sure enough satisfied with their wifes and kids
and their friends and their offices; and one third feel kind of restless but won't admit
it; and one third are miserable and know it."(Babbitt pg.64-65). This statement is the
most accurate description of Zenith in the novel. This portraits a place in which two
thirds of it's inhabitants are unhappy with their lives due to the power that conformity
has on their lives stifling their dreams. Paul realizes that these people are helpless
to fight their unhappiness because conformity has trapped them into a life which does not
satisfy them. Babbitt fits into the second class, those who are restless but won't
admit it. Throughout the novel, however we will see Babbitt move into the third class
of openly miserable people. Riesling already fits into that class. In an attempt to
lighten Paul's spirits Babbitt suggests a trip to the woods of Maine where him and Paul
will fish and hunt. Babbitt hopes that time away from Zilla will help Paul and that
maybe the trip could help to cure the restlessness he has been feeling. This trip is
when babbitt begins to realize that he is discontent with his life and must try to
improve it.. The realization that he does not want to end up as unhappy as Paul prompts
Babbitt to completely rebel against the conformist society in which he lives, and fight
for the life he wants. When eventually Paul shoots his wife out of discontent Babbitt
realizes he must rebel against society and prevent himself from suffering the same fate
as Paul.
After the unfortunate incident between Paul and his wife Babbitt realizes that he must
make an attempt to escape from conformist society, and attempt to improve his life.
Babbitt can see that his life would be better without conformity. "This individual
trapped in an environment, catching glimmerings of something more desirable beyond it,
struggling to grasp them"(Schorer).
Unfortunately the means that Babbitt chooses to rebel against society are poorly chosen.
Babbitt's first attempt at rebellion is that he changes his political outlook and joins
the political crusade of Seneca Doane. Next Babbitt supports workers in a strike. When
this attempt fails Babbitt looks towards other women as a source of comfort and
rebellion. Babbitt has always dreamed of romance and therefore starts an affair with
Tanis Judique a member of a wild set called "the bunch". "His greatest adventure is his
affair with Tanis Judique- and here he exercises his fancy, transforming her and her
friends into persons the are not."(Light). Babbitt tries to convince himself that he is
happier living a life of non-conformity. Babbitt's attempts of rebellion are poorly
chosen. Babbitt's approach to rebellion is to radical, and causes him to be ridiculed,
and cast out by the rest of conformist society. Babbitt loses many friends because of
his non-conformist actions, and he begins to see the true power of conformity. Babbitt's
friends and family turn away from him. Society rejects him because his new ideas do not
fit their pre-conceived standards. Babbitt begins to feel trapped between his own ideals
and goals and the pressure he constantly receives from family and friends to rejoin
conformist society.
Late one night Babbitt's wife complains of pains in her side. Mrs. Babbitt is diagnosed
with appendicitis. This tragic event is all that is needed to crumble the now weakened
resistance that Babbitt has held against conformist society. Babbitt worried about his
wife swears loyalty to conformity and all the values he had previously fought.
At the end of the novel Babbitt is almost the same man he was at the beginning of the
novel, except for one major difference. Babbitt now has no hallucinations about his
life. He accepts his fate as a miserable member of conformist society. Babbitt now
realizes the terrible fate that Zenith sets for it's citizens. When Babbitt's son asks
him permission to quit college and elope Babbitt approves in hope that his son will fare
better against the power of conformity than he has. "I've never done a single thing I've
wanted to in my whole life! I don't know's I've accomplished anything except just get
along......maybe you can carry things on further. I don't know but I do get a sneaking
kind of pleasure out of that fact that you knew what you wanted to do and did it. Well,
those folks in there will try to bully you, and tame you down. Tell 'em go to the devil!
I'll back you. Take your factory job, if you want to. Don't be scared of the family.
No, nor all of Zenith. Nor of yourself the way I've been. Go ahead, old man! The world
is yours!".(Babbitt pg 401) In this meaningful ending passage Babbitt admits his failure
in life to his son, and tells him to go after his dreams. He hopes that his son will not
fear life, himself, or Zenith the way he did. Babbitt realizes that fear is how
conformity captures it's victims, and that without fear anything is possible.
In the city of Zenith the power of conformity is too strong to battle, and even when
it's power is realized it is impossible to battle. Conformity traps the fearful into
unhappy lives, and forces it's will upon them. Once captured by conformity it is
impossible to escape it's grasp. Some Hope however exists for a newer generation
including Babbitt's son to conquer conformity and aspire to carry out their dreams.
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