Abstract
This paper states that Sinclair Lewis was an American author who became famous and controversial because of his novels and his satirical style of writing which criticizes the popular American culture during the 1920s to 1930s. The paper then provides an overview on who Sinclair Lewis was and why he became famous for his writings. The paper also discusses critics' remarks about the works of Sinclair Lewis as well as opinions as to why Sinclair Lewis' works are still relevant today.

Outline:
Introduction
Short Biography
Sinclair Lewis's Main Street
Lewis's Rise to Fame
Relevance of Sinclair Lewis' Main Street
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Main Street sold around 200,000 copies with a few months of its publication and released. It sold around two million copies in the United States alone in 1951. While novels before dared not, Main Street was the first novel by an American to become successful by using criticisms on American popular culture. The publication was timely because Main Street was published during the time when American culture was being questioned, World War I had just ended and women were declared legally equal to men."

Tags:instantly, popular, controversy, unconventional, publicity

Abstract
This paper examines Sinclair Lewis's novel, "Babbitt", which, through the life of George Babbitt, provides a vision of American life during the 1920s. The author contends that the cause for Babbitt's depression is not his disappointment with the aims and morals of 1920's society, but with his suppression of the homosexual attraction he feels for Paul Reisling. This paper, through a series of explications, studies the relationship between George Babbitt and Paul Reisling, such as the camping trip and, in Chicago, when Babbitt sees Paul making love to a woman.

From the Paper
"In Zenith, it is imperative for a man to be seen as a Man, and a woman to be seen as a Woman. There is no room for ambiguity. Babbitt spends his time making sure that he measures up. His main arena for manliness is the office. He describes a business deal between himself, Conrad Lyte and Archibald Purdy (45). At the conclusion of the deal, one where both Babbitt and Lyte profit, George admits it was necessary to "bully Lyte into buying." Purdy signs the agreement after Babbitt warns of possible ruination due to outside competition, a warning Purdy construes as "threatening" Having closed the deal, Babbitt sits back and ponders his "manly battle" but quickly becomes depressed. He cheers himself by thinking about the impending camping trip with his friend, Paul Riesling."

Tags:respectable, marriage, suburban, women, achievement

Abstract
This paper presents, from the novel "Babbitt" by Sinclair Lewis, the character of George Babbitt, the author's image of the middle-American businessman who is constantly struggling with his identity in society. The paper states that this image is based on the developing consumer culture of the era; Babbitt seeks to buy all the goods possible and to display them as trophies in his home in order to show the world that he is a success. The author believes that, in truth, Babbitt never achieves the happiness and satisfaction he desires and instead is constantly disappointed in the things he buys to make himself happy.

From the Paper
"Babbitt does indeed belong to such organizations, and to any other club or organization that he sees as giving him a position in the community. A position is not only valued for what it says about how Babbitt belongs, but also for the business value it confers. Business brings Babbitt money, of course, but it also places him at a certain position in the company of men. He identifies with Ted through business dealings in which they act together, for instance. The world outside the home is always more important to Babbitt than the world of his family, though he sees each as a reflection of himself and proof that he is a success."

Tags:consumer, era, business, happiness, home

From the Paper
"Lewis presents a grim and cynical view of life in Babbitt. The reader learns that "the Good Citizen's League had spread through the country" (391). Just as Babbitt's rebellion had been crushed, the growing Good Citizen's League is crushing similar rebellions. Babbitt again defines the archetype of the conformist businessman. Though Babbitt remains an integral part of the corrupted, business-dominated Zenith society, he is cognizant of its flaws. However, Babbitt's conscious sacrifice of his individuality and thought render him a defeated person. Babbitt realizes he lacks the strength and courage to challenge society; however, Babbitt finds hope in his son. Babbitt agrees that "the Babbitt men" ought to stick together? (400), and encourages his son to pursue happiness, rather than money and a professional career."

Tags:lewis, main, sinclair, street

Abstract
The paper explains the setting of the novel " Babbitt" and describes the United States after WWI when a consumer culture was taking over and when jazz and prohibition were introduced. The paper describes the character of Babbitt, a man whose whole life revolves around things, because he feels a void and attempts to fill it with acquisitions. The paper illustrates how Babbitt is unhappy, unfulfilled and plagued by thoughts of rebellion, yet he sticks to the status quo that will eventually be the demise of his society.

From the Paper
"Although Sinclair Lewis was a very prolific writer who produced many novels and plays over the course of four decades, he will always be associated with the 1920's. The 1920's were a very unique period in the United States because of the great effects of World War I. The war's effect was much more dramatic in Europe because European cities were bombed, and many European nations lost a whole generation of men. The horrors of war did not affect the United States in the same way, and yet the U.S. was still greatly affected."

Tags:consumerism, unhappiness, recognition, society, rebellion

From the Paper
"The novel Arrowsmith (1924), by Sinclair Lewis looks at the experiences of a central hero named Martin Arrowsmith and his pursuit of a medical career. Lewis uses his book to examine several historical trends and controversies in the medical profession at the turn of the nineteenth century. More specifically, at the time Martin Arrowsmith is beginning his training to become a doctor, he must grapple with the dilemma of whether to pursue pure scientific research which many established doctors and medical educators dismiss as nonprofitable and too isolated from the actual treatment of patients. Thus, the central theme of this novel is the hero's struggle to come to terms with the conflict, between pure scientific research or the pursuit of greater profits through the care of patients, which consumed the late nineteenth and early twentieth century medical . "

Tags:

Abstract
"The character of George Babbitt in the novel Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis is the author's image of the middle-American businessman of the age, a man constantly struggling with his identity in his society and eager always to live up to the image he believes society sees as most superior.

From the Paper
"The character of George Babbitt in the novel Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis is the author's image of the middle-American businessman of the age, a man constantly struggling with his identity in his society and eager always to live up to the image he believes society sees as most superior. This image is based on the developing consumer culture, and Babbitt is a man who seeks to buy all the goods possible and to display them as trophies in his home in order to show the world that he is a success. What Babbitt wants is to be accepted in the terms he believes society has set, in terms of business ability, the accumulation of money, the right social image, and certain core American values. In truth, though, Babbitt never achieves the happiness and satisfaction he desires and instead is constantly disappointed in the things he buys to make himself happy. As..."

Abstract
"The character of George Babbitt in the novel Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis is the author's image of the middle-American businessman of the age, a man constantly struggling with his identity in society and always eager to live up to the image he believes society sees as most superior.

From the Paper
"The character of George Babbitt in the novel Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis is the author's image of the middle-American businessman of the age, a man constantly struggling with his identity in society and always eager to live up to the image he believes society sees as most superior. This image is based on the developing consumer culture, and Babbitt is a man who seeks to buy all the goods possible and to display them as trophies in his home in order to show the world that he is a success. What Babbitt wants is to be accepted in the terms he believes society has set, in terms of business ability, the accumulation of money, the right social image, and certain core American values. In truth, Babbitt never achieves the happiness and satisfaction he desires, and instead is constantly disappointed in the things he buys to make himself happy. His business dealings are part of..."

Abstract
The paper examines Sinclair Lewis' novel "Babbitt" and shows how the author's focus is on the inner emptiness that accompanies the life of the middle classes in their singular pursuit of wealth and the American dream. The paper describes the context of the novel that is the roaring twenties, when the ethic of "conspicuous consumption" had only just trickled down to the middle classes. The paper highlights Babbitt's increasing disillusionment with his life and how the author precludes the possibility of escape. Finally, the paper discusses how the trends that Lewis noticed in the twenties have come to fruition today.

From the Paper
"At the turn of the century Thorstein Veblen coined the term 'conspicuous consumption' to describe an extreme form of materialistic behavior that he thought was becoming endemic to American society. This is where spending power is put on explicit display in order to convey high social standing. Veblen's volleys were mostly directed at the fabulously rich, but sociologists observe that the phenomenon becomes more widespread as the century progresses, and finally becomes consumerism, an epithet applicable to society as a whole. When Sinclair Lewis wrote Babbitt, consumerism was beginning to dominate the middle classes, and this is the target of his satire. In his forties, George F. Babbitt finds himself rebelling against this hollow society."

Tags:consumption, middle, class, emptiness, conformity

Abstract
By analyzing the character of George Babbitt in the novel by Sinclair Lewis, the paper shows how he is a reflection of the author's image of the middle-American businessman of the age, a man constantly struggling with his identity in his society and eager always to live up to the image he believes society sees as most superior. The paper shows that this image is based on the developing consumer culture and Babbitt is a man who seeks to buy all the goods possible and to display them as trophies in his home in order to show the world that he is a success. What Babbitt wants is to be accepted in the terms he believes society has set, in terms of business ability, the accumulation of money, the right social image and certain core American values. The paper shows that in truth, though, Babbitt never achieves the happiness and satisfaction he desires and instead is constantly disappointed in the things he buys to make himself happy.

From the Paper
"Babbitt's home and office are both reflections of the man, who himself would agree without seeing how empty each may be. His home has been decked out with the best furniture and the latest gadgets, furnished with "the best of taste, the best of inexpensive rugs, a simple and laudable architecture, and the latest conveniences" (14). Only one thing is found to be wrong with the image of Babbitt and his house: "In fact there was but one thing wrong with the Babbitt house: It was not a home" (14). Instead, it has all the trappings of a home without the necessary heart. It has the right furnishings, but the people are not connected together as a family. This is the key issue in terms of what Babbitt wants--he knows he wants the image, but he fails to see that what he really wants is human contact. Money substitutes for this in his thinking, money and what money can buy."

Tags:American, Dream, Zenith, City, Prison