"Babbitt" is a satirical novel written by Sinclair Lewis, first published in 1922. The story follows the life of George F. Babbitt, a successful middle-aged real estate agent living in the fictional Midwestern city of Zenith. Babbitt is a conformist who values material wealth and social status above all else, and he is deeply entrenched in the conservative values and consumerist culture of his community. However, over the course of the novel, Babbitt begins to experience a midlife crisis and becomes disillusioned with his life, questioning the values and beliefs that he once held so dear. As he navigates his personal crisis, Babbitt also grapples with larger societal issues, such as the rise of industrialism, the impact of advertising and media, and the tension between traditional values and modernity. Through Babbitt's journey, Lewis offers a sharp critique of American society in the early 20th century, exposing the flaws and contradictions of the middle-class lifestyle and the "American Dream." "Babbitt" remains a landmark work of American literature and a classic example of social satire.
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