Babbitt · Chapter
Chapter III explained
Babbitt's morning routine is explored, from starting his car to driving to work, revealing his pride in his motor car, his relationships with neighbors Sam Doppelbrau and Howard Littlefield, his dissatisfaction with his office and employees
What happens
Babbitt's morning routine is explored, from starting his car to driving to work, revealing his pride in his motor car, his relationships with neighbors Sam Doppelbrau and Howard Littlefield, his dissatisfaction with his office and employees, and his interactions with a garage mechanic and a hitchhiker, all set against the backdrop of a spring morning in Zenith.
Themes in this chapter
Conformity and Materialism
Babbitt's pride in his car, water-cooler, and house, along with his judgment of neighbors based on their conformity to social norms, underscores materialistic values.
Hypocrisy and Social Pretense
Babbitt criticizes the Doppelbraus for 'hell-raising' while himself desiring to drink and play poker, and he performs generosity by giving a lift while expecting praise.
Business and American Capitalism
The office environment, real estate dealings, and Babbitt's dictation of a business letter illustrate the capitalist ethos and its pressures.
Characters to notice
- George F. Babbitt
Babbitt experiences a mix of pride and malaise as he navigates his morning routine, from starting his car to dictating letters at the office.
- Sam Doppelbrau
Babbitt's neighbor, whose 'Bohemian' lifestyle Babbitt disapproves of, is greeted cordially but judged harshly.
- Howard Littlefield
The scholarly neighbor, a PhD and employment-manager, is admired by Babbitt for his intellect and conservative values.
- Stanley Graff
The outside salesman is observed by Babbitt as lacking firmness on the phone, contributing to Babbitt's dissatisfaction with his staff.
- Theresa McGoun
Babbitt's stenographer, praised as 'smart's a whip,' takes dictation and later types the letter.
- Sylvester Moon
The garage mechanic greets Babbitt respectfully and engages in conversation about politics and tires.
- Theodore Roosevelt Babbitt
Mentioned in Babbitt's thoughts about his son's intimacy with Eunice Littlefield.
Key passages
“To George F. Babbitt, as to most prosperous citizens of Zenith, his motor car was poetry and tragedy, love and heroism.”
For Babbitt and other wealthy Zenith residents, the automobile represented a mix of beauty, risk, passion, and bravery.
Highlights the symbolic importance of the car in Babbitt's life.
“He was confused. He shouted 'Morning!' to Sam Doppelbrau with more cordiality than he had intended.”
Babbitt felt disoriented and greeted his neighbor more warmly than he meant to.
Shows Babbitt's internal conflict and social performance.
“He astoundingly grunted, 'I'd like to beat it off to the woods right now. And loaf all day. And go to Gunch's again tonight, and play poker, and cuss as much as I feel like, and drink a hundred and nine-thousand bottles of beer.'”
Babbitt surprised himself by wishing he could escape to the woods, loaf, and indulge in drinking and poker.
Reveals Babbitt's desire to break free from societal expectations.