Summary Babbitt is able to see Paul at the City Prison only after using his influence with Mayor Prout. He visits Riesling in his cell, and Paul antagonistically expects Babbitt to be moralistic, but Babbitt says that he wants only to help. Paul is terribly upset and expresses remorse for […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 22-23Summary and Analysis Chapter 21
Summary Babbitt is an active member of the Zenith Boosters’ Club, the local chapter of a businessman’s organization with thousands of branches in the United States and several foreign countries. At the second weekly club luncheon in March, the annual election of officers is held. To Babbitt’s great surprise and […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 21Summary and Analysis Chapters 19-20
Summary The real-estate deal involving options on land required by the Street Traction Company for repair shops finally comes through. Babbitt makes a profit of $3,000 and several officials of the company do equally well. About the same time, a customer complains that Stanley Graff has cheated him, and Babbitt […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 19-20Summary and Analysis Chapter 18
Summary Babbitt always sees his children several times each day, but aside from his concern about their expenditures, he never pays much attention to them. Now, however, Kenneth Escott’s attentions to Verona arouse his interest. Babbitt also starts to worry about Ted. His son is a good athlete and mechanic […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 18Summary and Analysis Chapters 16-17
Summary Babbitt is unhappy that the McKelveys and their circle have not accepted him. In reaction to this snub, he strives even harder to become an even more prominent citizen. He continues to make speeches on important issues whenever the opportunity arises, and he is active in the Elks and […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 16-17Summary and Analysis Chapter 15
Summary Although he is now a prominent citizen, Babbitt is not fully satisfied, for he has not received the social recognition that he feels he and his family deserve. He looks forward to his university class dinner since he will have an opportunity to mingle with such Zenith aristocrats as […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 15Summary and Analysis Chapters 13-14
Summary Babbitt, like all his business colleagues, is a member of the State Association of Real Estate Boards. The annual convention of this organization is to be held in the city of Monarch this year, and Babbitt is selected to be one of Zenith’s delegates. While meeting with Cecil Rountree, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 13-14Summary and Analysis Chapters 11-12
Summary Babbitt and Paul spend a few hours in New York between trains. They visit the Pennsylvania Hotel, the city’s newest, because Babbitt, as a realtor, is interested in seeing it. Afterward, at Paul’s suggestion, they go to the docks to see an ocean liner. Babbitt is impressed by the […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 11-12Summary and Analysis Chapter 10
Summary One evening, Babbitt and his wife visit the Rieslings in their modern apartment. They spend an enjoyable few hours until Zilla begins her usual complaints about Paul, criticizing and nagging him until he becomes nasty. The Babbitts try to patch matters up, but have no success. At last, Babbitt […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 10Summary and Analysis Chapters 8-9
After several weeks of soul-searching discussion, the Babbitts conclude their plans for the dinner and select the final list of guests. They invite Chum Frink (the newspaper poet) and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Orville Jones, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Littlefield, Mr. and Mrs. Vergil Gunch, and Mrs. and Mrs. […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 8-9