Chapter XXXIII explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Conformity and Materialism

  Babbitt's return to the Good Citizens' League symbolizes his surrender to societal pressure and the comforts of conformity.

• Midlife Crisis and Disillusionment

  Babbitt's rebellion fades as he confronts his wife's illness, marking the end of his fling with nonconformity and the onset of resigned middle age.

• Gender Roles and Marriage

  Myra's illness forces Babbitt back into traditional marital roles, rekindling emotional intimacy and highlighting the fragility of their bond.

Characters to notice

• George F. Babbitt

  Rejoins the Good Citizens' League, ending his rebellion. Grapples with his wife's illness, rekindling his marital devotion.

• Myra Babbitt

  Suffers from severe abdominal pain, diagnosed as possible appendicitis, and undergoes emergency surgery. Expresses fear and need for her husband's presence.

• Virgil Gunch

  Visits Mrs. Babbitt in the hospital and persuades Babbitt to join the Good Citizens' League.

• Dr. Earl Patten

  Initially examines Mrs. Babbitt at home, suspects appendicitis, and calls in Dr. Dilling for surgery.

• Dr. A. I. Dilling

  Diagnoses acute appendicitis and insists on immediate surgery, which Babbitt consents to.

• Theodore Roosevelt Babbitt

  Mentioned as possibly needing to come down from university due to his mother's illness.

Key passages

• “Then did Babbitt, almost tearful with joy at being coaxed instead of bullied, at being permitted to stop fighting, at being able to desert without injuring his opinion of himself, cease utterly to be a domestic revolutionist.”

  Babbitt was overjoyed to be invited rather than forced to rejoin the Good Citizens' League, allowing him to abandon his rebellion without losing self-respect.

  Highlights Babbitt's relief at returning to conformity.

• “Instantly all the indignations which had been dominating him and the spiritual dramas through which he had struggled became pallid and absurd before the ancient and overwhelming realities, the standard and traditional realities, of sickness and menacing death, the long night, and the thousand steadfast implications of married life.”

  Facing his wife's serious illness, Babbitt's recent rebellious feelings seemed trivial compared to the profound realities of sickness, death, and marriage.

  Shows the shift from personal rebellion to marital duty.

• “He was on his knees by the bed. While she feebly ruffled his hair, he sobbed, he kissed the lawn of her sleeve, and swore, 'Old honey, I love you more than anything in the world! I've kind of been worried by business and everything, but that's all over now, and I'm back again.'”

  Babbitt knelt beside Myra, crying and professing his love, promising that his recent distractions were over and he was fully committed to her.

  Marks the emotional reconciliation between Babbitt and his wife.