Babbitt, a novel written by Sinclair Lewis in 1922, portrays the life of George F. Babbitt, a middle-aged real estate agent caught in the intricacies of conformist society in Zenith, a small Midwestern town. As one of the most incisive social critiques in American literature, it offers valuable lessons for students today who seek to analyze the complexities of societal pressure, conformity, and materialism.
Engaging Students with Babbitt
1. Setting the scene: Start by providing an introduction to the period during which Babbitt was written – the 1920s. This era is commonly referred to as the Roaring Twenties or the Jazz Age, an age of economic growth, consumerism, and cultural change. Discuss with students how these transformations shaped American society and ultimately influenced the themes explored in Babbitt.
2. Introducing the protagonist: Present George F. Babbitt to your students as a character that they can analyze to better understand how social pressures impacted individuals during this era. Discuss his background – a successful white-collar worker who embraces conformity and is chained to societal norms. By examining his aspirations and concerns throughout the story, students will gain insight into why he becomes disillusioned with his life.
3. Themes for discussion: Encourage your students to explore and discuss several key themes within Babbitt:
a. Conformity: Examine how characters in the novel blindly conform to social expectations while suppressing their individuality and desires.
b. Materialism & Status: Discuss how possessions and social status become measures of success for characters like Babbitt. Allow students to reflect on contemporary parallels.
c. The Pursuit of Happiness: Analyze whether happiness can be achieved through conformity and materialism or whether it requires a life driven by one’s own passions and unique path.
4. The impact of Sinclair Lewis: Sinclair Lewis was the first American writer to win the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1930. Therefore, it is important to give your students an understanding of his significance in American literature and his role as a satirist who criticized American society through his novels like Babbitt and Main Street.
5. Modern connections: Encourage students to draw parallels between Babbitt’s time and our contemporary society. Invite them to consider whether themes such as conformity, materialism, and the pursuit of happiness are still relevant today. This exercise can lead to deeper discussions about personal values, societal norms, and individual choices.
Conclusion
Teaching students about Babbitt is not only a gateway to exploring the rich tapestry of American literature but also a means of examining relevant themes that are ever-present in our modern societies. By understanding Babbitt’s life, motivations, and struggles, students can draw valuable insights into the intricacies of societal pressure on individuals’ sense of self, offering them a greater understanding of both literature and life beyond the classroom.
