# Chapter XVII explained — Babbitt

> Chapter companion for Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis.

## What happens

Babbitt leverages his Sunday School committee work to cultivate a relationship with the wealthy banker William Washington Eathorne, securing favorable press coverage for himself and Dr. Drew. He proposes modern, business-like methods for the Sunday School, including a press agent, and eventually gains Eathorne's favor, leading to a profitable private loan deal. The chapter also introduces Kenneth Escott, a reporter who becomes a friend to the family and a radical influence on Verona.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hypocrisy and Social Pretense

Babbitt uses religious committee work and publicity to advance his social standing and business interests, while Dr. Drew is portrayed as a self-promoter.

### Business and American Capitalism

Babbitt treats the Sunday School as a merchandising problem, proposing cash prizes and a press agent, and later secures a private loan through his church connections.

### Religion as Social Institution

The church is depicted as a vehicle for networking and social climbing, with Babbitt attending regularly to maintain his community standing.

## Character check-ins

### George F. Babbitt

Orchestrates publicity for himself and Dr. Drew, proposes business-like reforms for the Sunday School, and cultivates a profitable relationship with Eathorne.

### William Washington Eathorne

The conservative banker whose favor Babbitt seeks; he approves Babbitt's Sunday School proposals and later grants him a private loan.

### Kenneth Escott

A shy, lonely reporter who becomes a friend to the Babbitts and a radical influence on Verona; he is hired as part-time press agent for the Sunday School.

### Verona Babbitt

Bonds with Kenneth Escott over shared 'radical' ideas, though they remain sensible and conservative in their views.

### Rev. Dr. John Jennison Drew

The pastor of Chatham Road Presbyterian Church; benefits from Babbitt's publicity efforts and hosts a dinner with Eathorne.

### Chum Frink

Supports Babbitt's Sunday School proposals and suggests Kenneth Escott as a press agent.

### Orville Jones

Congratulates Babbitt on his association with Eathorne, calling him 'the new director of the First State Bank.'

### Emil Wengert

The jeweler who becomes willing to discuss buying a house from Babbitt after his rise in status.

## Key lines

> I think if you analyze the needs of the school, in fact, going right at it as if it was a merchandizing problem, of course the one basic and fundamental need is growth.

Babbitt argues that the Sunday School should be treated like a business, with the primary goal being growth.

_Babbitt applies commercial logic to religious education._

> There's no stronger bulwark of sound conservatism than the evangelical church, and no better place to make friends who'll help you to gain your rightful place in the community than in your own church-home!

Babbitt declares that the evangelical church is the best institution for promoting conservative values and making useful social connections.

_Babbitt's view of church as a tool for social and business advancement._

## Links

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