# Chapter X explained — Babbitt

> Chapter companion for Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis.

## What happens

Babbitt confronts Zilla Riesling about her treatment of Paul, forcing her to allow Paul to join him on a trip to Maine. After the confrontation, Babbitt and Paul excitedly prepare for their fishing trip, buying equipment at Ijams Brothers' Sporting Goods Mart.

## Themes in this chapter

### Gender Roles and Marriage

The conflict between Zilla and Paul highlights the strain of traditional marriage roles, with Zilla's frustration and Paul's passive resistance.

### Midlife Crisis and Disillusionment

Babbitt and Paul seek escape from their mundane lives through the Maine trip, reflecting a desire to recapture youth and freedom.

### Hypocrisy and Social Pretense

Babbitt's self-righteousness in confronting Zilla is undercut by Myra's observation that he enjoyed bullying her, revealing his own hypocrisy.

## Character check-ins

### George F. Babbitt

Confronts Zilla Riesling, forcing her to let Paul go to Maine; then enthusiastically shops for fishing gear with Paul.

### Myra Babbitt

Accompanies Babbitt to the Rieslings' apartment; criticizes Babbitt's harshness toward Zilla and suggests the trip to Maine.

### Paul Riesling

Endures Zilla's abuse; admits to having affairs; is defended by Babbitt and agrees to go to Maine.

### Zilla Riesling

Verbally attacks Paul; is confronted by Babbitt and breaks down, agreeing to let Paul go to Maine.

### Willis Ijams

Assists Babbitt and Paul at Ijams Brothers' Sporting Goods Mart, advising them on fishing flies.

## Key lines

> She abased herself completely. Also, she enjoyed it. To the connoisseur of scenes, nothing is more enjoyable than a thorough, melodramatic, egoistic humility.

Zilla fully humiliated herself, but she secretly enjoyed the drama, as people who love theatrical scenes often relish a chance to display exaggerated remorse.

_Highlights Zilla's performative nature and Babbitt's observation of her enjoyment in the conflict._

> He condemned magnificently and forgave piously, and as he went parading out with his wife he was grandly explanatory to her: 'Kind of a shame to bully Zilla, but course it was the only way to handle her. Gosh, I certainly did have her crawling!'

Babbitt judged Zilla harshly and then forgave her with self-importance, boasting to Myra about how he had made Zilla submit.

_Shows Babbitt's self-congratulatory attitude and Myra's later criticism of his behavior._

## Links

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