# Chapter XIII explained — Babbitt

> Chapter companion for Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

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