# Chapter XXXIII explained — Babbitt

> Chapter companion for Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis.

## What happens

Babbitt, after a period of rebellion, rejoins the Good Citizens' League and returns to conformity. His wife Myra falls gravely ill with a suspected appendicitis, requiring emergency surgery. During her illness, Babbitt's domestic revolt dissolves as he confronts the realities of married life and mortality, reaffirming his love and commitment to her.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

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