Babbitt · Chapter
Chapter XIII explained
Babbitt gains prominence at the State Association of Real Estate Boards convention in Monarch, delivering a speech that earns him recognition, a newspaper feature, and committee appointments.
What happens
Babbitt gains prominence at the State Association of Real Estate Boards convention in Monarch, delivering a speech that earns him recognition, a newspaper feature, and committee appointments. He revels in the male camaraderie of the convention, joining a circus parade, attending a tea with the Sassburgers, and participating in a raucous evening of drinking and storytelling with fellow delegates, which underscores his desire to escape domestic routine.
Themes in this chapter
Business and American Capitalism
Babbitt's speech and convention activities emphasize the realtor's role as a professional and the boosterism central to American capitalism.
Conformity and Materialism
Babbitt's desire for recognition and status through convention fame and material success illustrates conformity to societal expectations.
Rebellion and Conformity
The drinking party and Babbitt's 'busting loose' represent a temporary rebellion against domestic conformity, yet he remains within the bounds of male social rituals.
Characters to notice
- George F. Babbitt
Delivers a keynote address at the S.A.R.E.B. convention, gains fame, and participates in the convention's social events, including a circus parade and a drinking party.
- Cecil Rountree
Chairman of the convention program-committee who suggests Babbitt write a paper for the convention.
- Chum Frink
Babbitt consults him for writing advice on his convention paper.
- Howard Littlefield
Provides Babbitt with statistics for his convention paper.
- Miriam Sassburger
Hosts a tea with her husband Jered Sassburger, where Babbitt and W. A. Rogers attend; she mixes cocktails.
- Elbert Wing
Joins Babbitt and others for an evening of drinking after the convention.
Key passages
“He had in fifteen minutes changed from a minor delegate to a personage almost as well known as that diplomat of business, Cecil Rountree.”
In just fifteen minutes, Babbitt went from being an insignificant delegate to a figure nearly as famous as the business diplomat Cecil Rountree.
Highlights Babbitt's rapid rise in status at the convention.
“They had printed his picture and a half-column account. The heading was 'Sensation at Annual Landmen's Convention. G. F. Babbitt, Prominent Ziptown Realtor, Keynoter in Fine Address.'”
The newspaper published his photo and a half-column article with the headline declaring him a sensation and keynoter at the convention.
Shows Babbitt's pride in his newfound public recognition.
“I don't know how it strikes you hellions, but personally I like this busting loose for a change, and kicking over a couple of mountains and climbing up on the North Pole and waving the aurora borealis around.”
I don't know what you rascals think, but I enjoy breaking free for a change and doing something wild and extravagant.
Captures Babbitt's exhilaration at escaping his usual routine.