Babbitt · Chapter
Chapter XXXI explained
Babbitt struggles with the demands of his wife Myra and his mistress Tanis Judique, feeling trapped between domestic obligations and the freedom he craves.
What happens
Babbitt struggles with the demands of his wife Myra and his mistress Tanis Judique, feeling trapped between domestic obligations and the freedom he craves. He visits Tanis but finds their conversation strained, and after a period of avoidance, he resolves to break off the relationship, asserting his need for independence.
Themes in this chapter
Midlife Crisis and Disillusionment
Babbitt's dissatisfaction with his marriage and his affair with Tanis illustrate his midlife crisis and search for meaning.
Hypocrisy and Social Pretense
Babbitt maintains a facade of respectability while engaging in an affair and lying to his wife about his whereabouts.
Gender Roles and Marriage
The chapter explores the constraints of marriage for both Babbitt and Myra, as well as Tanis's dependence on male attention.
Characters to notice
- George F. Babbitt
Frustrated by domestic and professional pressures, he seeks escape with Tanis but ultimately decides to end the affair.
- Myra Babbitt
Babbitt's wife, who is upset by his frequent absences and receives curt treatment from him.
- Tanis Judique
Babbitt's mistress, who tries to maintain the relationship but is eventually pushed away as Babbitt asserts his freedom.
- Conrad Lyte
A client who adds to Babbitt's stress with complaints about neuralgia and garage overcharges.
- Theresa McGoun
Babbitt's secretary, who relays a phone call from Tanis to him at the office.
- Verg Gunch
Mentioned at the Roughnecks' Table, discussing the Good Citizens' League and seemingly excluding Babbitt.
Key passages
“Oh, quit fussing! You never hear me whining about my Troubles, and yet if you had to run a real-estate office—Why, today I found Miss Bannigan was two days behind with her accounts, and I pinched my finger in my desk, and Lyte was in and just as unreasonable as ever.”
Babbitt tells his wife to stop complaining, pointing out that he doesn't whine about his own problems, like the office issues with Miss Bannigan and the difficult client Conrad Lyte.
Babbitt deflects his wife's concerns by listing his own grievances, showing his self-centeredness and frustration.
“He was relieved to find Tanis cheerful, unreproachful, and brilliant in a frock of brown net over gold tissue.”
Babbitt is pleased that Tanis is in a good mood and not criticizing him, and he admires her attractive outfit.
Tanis's appearance and demeanor provide a contrast to the tension at home, reinforcing Babbitt's desire for escape.
“I want us to be friends but, gosh, I can't go on this way feeling I got to come up here every so often—”
Babbitt tells Tanis he wants to remain friends but cannot continue feeling obligated to visit her regularly.
Babbitt attempts to end the affair while preserving a semblance of friendship, highlighting his conflicted feelings.