Babbitt

Babbitt Synopsis

George Babbitt is a forty-six-year-old real estate broker. His job allows him to enjoy many commodities of the middle-class, and offers he and his family a place in an elevated social circle. With three kids, a loving wife, a steady job, and a fair amount of disposable income, George is living the American dream. But despite his privilege, he is dissatisfied with his life, a topic that often arises when he spends time with his closest friend, Paul, who has serious martial issues. One day, they decide to take a vacation together, leaving their family for a relaxing camping trip. Even through ups and downs, the two men feel at ease among the country, appreciating the simultaneous and contrasting simplicity and intricacy that exists in nature. Together, George and Paul decide that even though their lives weren’t perfect, they would do their best to appreciate what they had. After this, both men return home feeling much more optimistic about their lives. However, things take a turn for the worst after one of them does not honor to their pack. When Paul commits a heinous crime that will imprison him for many years, George is distraught. Feeling that his mundane life will be unbearable without Paul’s company, George decides to abandon the rules that held him back before. As George ditches his social circle and begins to cheat on his wife, he falls into the habit of chasing his every whim, leading him to chaos. With themes of American identity, social change, material culture, urbanization, and industrialization, Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis is thought-provoking work of literature grounded in American history and values. First published in 1922, Babbitt is among the first comic depictions of a mid-life crisis, a concept that has remained relevant and relatable to modern audiences. This edition of Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis features a new, eye-catching cover design and is printed in a stylish font, making is both readable and modern.

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