The American Dream in Sinclair Lewis Babbit :: Sinclair Lewis, Babbit

Do as most do, and men will speak considerably of thee. Thomas Fuller (1654-1734)GnomologiaMen have a dream to make better their lives and better their social status but each piece does not realize that he pursues this dream in hopes of pleasing others andnot for his own well being. Fullers quotation demonstrates that people findsuccess and social mobility if they act and do what others want them to do. TheAmerican dream of success and happiness can not be reached independently becausepeople need to feel accepted to achieve satisfaction. Each man strives toimprove his place in the community oblivious to the hypocrisy close to him.Everyone works to impress others rather than pleasing himself. ParallelingFullers quotation, Sinclair Lewis Babbit is a satirical portrayal of a man insearch of himself enveloped by a society of hypocrisy . George F. Babbit, amiddle class man, struggles to find social mobility and beatitude. Babbitoverlooks the essential items of life and concent rates his attention towards existent goals and impressing the upper class. Due to the loss of his bestfriend, Babbit realizes his life has no meaning and rebels against societys pact destroying his reputation. Lacking the courage to be independent,Babbits dream of true ecstasy crumbles when he succumbs to hypocriticallifestyle realizing that he needs conformity. Strongly influenced by asanctimonious society, Babbit, a man in search for himself, realizes that heneeds conformity to live.Babbit dreams of improve his status in the community, not realizing thathypocrisy is influencing every decision or action he makes. Babbit concentrateshis time and energies towards activities and events that impress the upper class.His life revolves around material items and goals. Mr. and Mrs. Babbit host adinner party, only inviting the utmost respectable couples. They plan a"highbrow affairwith evening clothes required" in hopes of impressing theirprosperous guests. The evening is filled wi th meaningless conversation and themen tell crude and unsophisticated jokes. Everyone seems to be having awonderful time even though there is no real meaning in the evening. Shortlyafterwards Babbits "name and face" become noticed throughout the city. Inanother feat to impress the upper class, Babbit delivers a stirring speechand suddenly finds that he has become one of the most "popular and well-knownfigures" at the convention. Babbits dream of improving his position is comingtrue, although Babbit is oblivious to societys hypocrisy. From a solid citizen,Babbit becomes an important citizen and volunteers his services as an orator fora political campaign.