# Chapter XXI explained — Babbitt

> Chapter companion for Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis.

## What happens

Babbitt attends the Zenith Boosters' Club lunch, where he is elected vice-president. The meeting includes boosterism, a speech by Chum Frink advocating for a symphony orchestra as a form of cultural advertising, and the election of officers. Babbitt's triumph is shattered when he learns that Paul Riesling has shot his wife Zilla.

## Themes in this chapter

### Business and American Capitalism

The Boosters' Club meeting emphasizes business networking, advertising, and the commodification of culture for economic gain.

### Hypocrisy and Social Pretense

The club's focus on 'service' and 'good citizenship' masks its primary goal of promoting business interests and social status.

## Character check-ins

### George F. Babbitt

Attends the Boosters' Club lunch, is elected vice-president, and later learns of Paul Riesling's crime.

### Virgil Gunch

Retiring president of the Boosters' Club, chairs the meeting and announces Babbitt's election.

### Chum Frink

Gives a speech advocating for a symphony orchestra as a means of cultural advertising for Zenith.

### Paul Riesling

Mentioned at the end of the chapter; has shot his wife Zilla and is in jail.

### Myra Babbitt

Calls Babbitt to inform him of Paul Riesling's arrest.

## Key lines

> There's no rule that you have to trade with your Fellow Boosters, but get wise, boy—what's the use of letting all this good money get outside of our happy fambly?

There is no requirement to do business with other club members, but it is foolish to spend money outside the group.

_Reflects the club's underlying pressure to support fellow members economically._

> Culture has become as necessary an adornment and advertisement for a city today as pavements or bank-clearances.

Cultural institutions are now as essential for a city's image and promotion as infrastructure and financial stability.

_Chum Frink's argument for the symphony orchestra as a marketing tool._

## Links

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