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Babbit By Sinclair Lewis

Babbitt: Conformity

        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...