Babbitt - Sinclair Lewis

This novel was incredible. A description of 'normal' American life in the era of prohibition touching on capitalism, conservatism, romance, and societal position, Babbitt satirically portrays the lives of characters in an up-and-coming mid-sized town (Zenith). Babbitt describes the details of normalcy without embitterment, yet highlights the lack of satisfaction that even the most successful 'normal' people feel with the lack of passion and freedom in their lives. George Babbitt has an incident, a break with his life, but as soon as he's ready to accept that the consequences of rebellion are too great for him, he is accepted back into the fold without a ripple. The description of Babbitt was truly an Everyman description, and I felt after reading the novel not only did I truly understand Babbitt, but that maybe I'd misjudged other 'normal' people. This novel is interesting in that in most novels where people break out of their societal bounds, they escape permanently for better or worse. Although meant satirically, George Babbitt's re-fusion with society (albeit with his rebellion by supporting his son's life) actually depicts a more realistic (although less dramatic) result. By providing a fair critique of normalcy without over-sensationalization, Babbitt cleverly makes rebellion comfortable and commonplace.