# Chapter VIII explained — Babbitt

> Chapter companion for Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis.

## What happens

Babbitt and Myra prepare for a highbrow dinner party, inviting notable guests including poet Chum Frink, Dr. Howard Littlefield, and others. Babbitt procures gin from Healey Hanson, fetches ice cream from Vecchia's, and mixes cocktails, feeling both exhilarated and anxious about the social event.

## Themes in this chapter

### Conformity and Materialism

Babbitt's obsession with social status, the dinner party as a display of wealth, and his pride in material possessions like his dinner jacket and cocktails.

### Hypocrisy and Social Pretense

Babbitt pretends to be a highbrow host while secretly drinking and procuring illegal gin, and the guests' forced amiability masks their true feelings.

### Gender Roles and Marriage

Myra manages domestic duties while Babbitt asserts authority; their argument over hosting duties reflects traditional gender roles.

## Character check-ins

### George F. Babbitt

Hosts a highbrow dinner party, procures gin, mixes cocktails, and feels pride in his social standing.

### Myra Babbitt

Anxiously prepares for the dinner party, managing flowers, table setting, and the hired help.

### Chum Frink

A distinguished poet and guest at the dinner, known for his syndicated 'Poemulations' and advertising work.

### Howard Littlefield

A doctor of philosophy and guest, who provides publicity and economics for the Street Traction Company.

### Virgil Gunch

A coal-dealer and guest, active in the Elks and Boosters' Club.

### Eddie Swanson

An agent for the Javelin Motor Car and guest, living across the street from the Babbitts.

## Key lines

> I’m going to have a party, and Jake told me you’d be able to fix me up with a little gin.

Babbitt tells Healey Hanson he needs gin for his party, referencing Jake as a contact.

_Babbitt's attempt to procure illegal alcohol during Prohibition._

> By golly, I don’t look so bad. I certainly don’t look like Catawba. If the hicks back home could see me in this rig, they’d have a fit!

Babbitt admires his formal attire, feeling superior to his rural origins.

_Babbitt's pride in his social ascent and material appearance._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/chapter-viii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/babbitt_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/babbitt_se/chapters