In his book Babbitt (1922), Sinclair Lewis presents George F. Babbitt, a tormented man rooted in the Roaring Twenties. First described as an active citizen, satisfied with his job, his Club and all the flourishing technological developments of his time, the protagonist of the story nevertheless quickly emerges as a discontented man and unhappy with his life. Although she comes from various aspects of her world, Babbitt's relationships with women play a major role in this dissatisfaction. Whether with his wife, his mistress, or the female acquaintances he is interested in, Babbitt never seems to arrive at a state of complete contentment in his relationships, his expectations always turning into disappointment. Additionally, America experienced revolutionary changes in the 1920s that caused destabilization in several areas, including gender roles. Indeed, with the gradual emancipation of women since the 19th century and the appearance of national women's suffrage in 1920, many men found themselves in a situation of confusion regarding the parity that had prevailed until then. The purpose of this article, therefore, is to demonstrate that George F. Babbitt is continually dissatisfied with his relationships with women due to two main factors. On the one hand, Babbitt suffers the consequences of the imbalance between the sexes which then existed in America and which led him to adopt a misogynistic attitude towards women and, on the other hand, he tirelessly searches for an ideal woman who does not can exist. .Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned"?Get an Original EssayThe first possible explanation for Babbitt's dissatisfaction with his relationships with women has to do with the context in which he is immersed. Fearing the emancipation of women, Babbitt adopts hyper-masculine behavior which prevents him from having a satisfactory relationship with a woman, because he constantly denigrates them. For the sake of contextualization, it is necessary to recall that the transition between the 19th and 20th centuries in America was a period of radical improvements that affected the technological, industrial and societal domains. Concerning this last category and especially the part involving gender roles, an imbalance appears. With the appearance of the “New Woman”, a movement which led to the right to vote for both sexes in the United States, women actually took an important step towards their emancipation. Aware that this is only the beginning of a period that will tend to impose equality of the sexes, men are torn by mixed feelings of confusion and fear about what will happen to their masculinity. In her book Babbitt as Veblenian Critique of Manliness, Clare Virginia Eby explains that because of women's suffrage, America is witnessing a "crisis of masculinity" (Eby 6), leading men to adopt a “hypermasculine behavior” (7). According to the Collins English Dictionary, hypermasculinity can be defined as “an exaggeration of traditionally masculine traits or behaviors.” George F. Babbitt is not immune to the crisis facing American men, and Eby explains that “Babbitt…. . . believes himself to be in revolt against the pressures imposed by women” (8). Thus, in response to women's emancipation, Babbitt's hyper-masculine behavior, which results in the use of gender stereotypes and misogynistic speeches as we will demonstrate below, prevents him from having a relationship satisfying with a woman, because he denigrates them. and more. Babbitt's derogatory attitudes toward women appear throughout the book through various processes, but are primarilyvisible through gender stereotypes and misogynistic discourse. Indeed, stereotyping women is a way for Babbitt to valorize men and to combat his fear of women's emancipation by demeaning them. For example, a striking example of Babbitt's gender stereotype is when he welcomes his friends' wives to his dinner party, explaining that there were "six wives, more or less – it was hard to tell, so early in the party, because at first glance they all looked the same, and as they all said, "Oh, isn't that nice!" in the same tone of his determined vivacity” (Lewis 114). In this example, Babbitt criticizes women for acting in the same superficial and exaggerated way. On a more physical level, when washing her forearms, Babbitt says: "Really soft hands – like a woman's." Aah! » (258). This is a typical hyper-masculine comment from the protagonist that aims to denigrate women's sensibilities. Of course, having soft hands is not a negative thing, but in this context, Babbitt probably associates it with an expression of weakness, something his manhood forbids. Regarding attitudes, he repeatedly criticizes several female behaviors, such as when he states: “That's the problem with women. . . they have no sense of diplomacy” (91), or that “the problem with women is that they never have enough common sense to form regular habits” (97). He also complains that “these women. . . you're all leading to complications! » (333), “They always exaggerate like this.” (335) and that “[they] can never understand the different definitions of a word” (303). Thus, generally targeting a particular woman, Babbitt stereotypes her, meaning he extends his criticism to all women. The effect of such a habit is that by demeaning them, Babbitt elevates their male counterparts. Also preventing him from having a successful relationship with a woman due to their constant denigration, Babbitt tends to engage in misogynistic speech throughout the story. Beyond gender stereotypes, the protagonist attempts to assert the superiority of men through various comments. For example, he criticizes the lack of gratitude of women towards men, as when he notes that "his wife was too busy to be impressed by this moral indignation with which men rule the world" (112) or when he gets angry at the fact that women think that "a man does nothing but sit in his chair and have amorous conferences with lots of elegant ladies and give them merry eyes" ( 337). Through these two comments, Babbitt defends the image of man as the pillar of an efficient world which once again reflects his fear of what is happening to his masculinity. Other hyper-masculine comments occur when he refers to places intended only for men, such as when he states that "they were free, in a man's world" (139), when he addresses to Joe by offering to “get away from these damn sweet summers and women and everything” (285) or finally when he “wants to escape to a hard, safe, emotionless world of men” (285) 348). All these places free of women are therefore depicted as calm, authentic and far from any unnecessary superficiality. The separation between the worlds of men and women, as well as the glorification of masculine places, are another way for Babbitt to value men and to fight against his fear of women's emancipation. This is what Eby confirms when she states that these kinds of virile comments are “anxieties of this transition from macho to domesticated man: George Babbitt is fleeing…. . . women in a frenzied search for a distinct masculine culture that would help themprove his virility” (Eby 8). Therefore, if Babbitt is not entirely satisfied with any of his relationships, it is primarily because he reacts to women's emancipation with hyper-masculine behavior that prevents him from having a successful relationship. with a woman, because he constantly devalues ​​them. The second possible explanation for Babbitt's dissatisfaction with his romantic relationships is that he is looking for an ideal woman who cannot exist in real life. Babbitt always held the firm belief that "[he] was chased by the ancient thinking that there must exist a not impossible person somewhere who would understand him, appreciate him, and make him happy" (Lewis 281). Indeed, the protagonist is in search of the ideal partner who has all the necessary requirements to satisfy him and allow him to finally be completely satisfied. The idealistic girl Babbitt yearned for appears repeatedly throughout the story, but especially in his dreams because she is a figment of his imagination. The fairy child, as the protagonist calls him, has a set of characteristics that meet the perfection Babbitt seeks. First, what emerges from Babbitt's recurring description of this fairy creature is a mixture of youth, beauty, and sexual attraction when, for example, he dreams that "he was so thin, so white, so eager" ( 12). The fairy child also has a gift for understanding Babbitt, which the other women do not possess. For example, in one of his dreams, when he finds himself surrounded by strangers who make fun of him, he escapes by catching up with her (105). As for the moment when the fairy “cries that he was gay and valiant [and] that she would wait for him” (12), this gives the protagonist a feeling of admiration, another sensation that he expects to find again with his ideal woman. . Finally, as Graham Thompson states, "the most thorough reading of Babbitt's fairy child has suggested that this imaginary character acts as a means for Babbitt to express his desire to escape from his wife, his friends and to the world to which he belongs” (Thompson 53). Thus, in addition to youth, beauty, sexual attraction, understanding and admiration, what completes the archetype of the ideal woman is the aspect of escape and freedom that it provides Babbitt . Although it seems that some of these characteristics are found in each of his female acquaintances, none of them possesses all of them and, therefore, the insatiable expectations created by the fairy child are another way of explaining the Babbitt's dissatisfaction with women. the woman who seems most opposed to the fairy child is Myra, to whom Babbitt has been unhappily married since the beginning of their relationship. Indeed, Mrs. Babbitt does not possess any of the requirements that Babbitt expects from his ideal partner and this therefore testifies to the impossibility for the protagonist to find satisfaction in his married life. First of all, Myra does not meet Babbitt's first expectation of a perfect woman, composed of youth and attractiveness. Already in her introductory description, Mrs. Babbitt is criticized for not maintaining her physical appearance while it is said that she is “definitely mature” and “as sexless as an anemic nun” (16). This distaste for Myra's appearance has existed since Babbitt met her because even then, young Myra appeared to him as "a nice girl - we didn't kiss her, we didn't think of her that way at all." way” unless I’m going to marry him. (93). This reflection from Babbitt, in addition to being ironic since he ended up marrying her, demonstrates very well that he never saw her as potentially attractive. When Myra is not discredited for her physical appearance, she is simply described by her function as a "good wife" (93) but sheis never associated with flattering terms regarding either her age or her physical appearance. Understanding is also not one of Myra's qualities according to Babbitt. He emphasizes this several times in the story, such as when he states that "And Myra, there's no point waiting for her to understand" (361) or when he talks about politics and complains about the fact that she doesn't understand what he means (304). ). As for admiration, the reader cannot dispute that Myra supports her husband. Whether scribbling in a notebook (158) or giving public speeches (176), Mrs. Babbitt never misses an opportunity to praise Babbitt. However, it seems that the latter only notices the few times his wife remains silent, such as when he comes home from a drive and feels like "to Mrs. Babbitt, he was a William Washington Eathorne, but she did it.” I don't notice it (213) or when he reproaches her for being "too busy to be impressed by the moral indignation with which males govern the world" (112). Concerning freedom, Babbitt seems to suffer from his wife the opposite effect of that which he seeks. Indeed, when Myra has to leave, Babbitt “[is] happy that his wife is absent. He admitted it without justifying it. (269) and when he has to pick her up from the station, he just doesn't want her to come back (281-82). As for his absences, Babbitt can't help but take advantage of his freedom by acting childish and doing things usually forbidden by Myra, like raiding the refrigerator. His calling this last action "one of the major domestic crimes" (263) shows his irritation with Myra's rules and further highlights his enjoyment of freedom when she is not around. Finally, this can be summed up by recognizing that if Babbitt leads an unhappy married life, it can be explained, at least in part, by the fact that his wife does not possess any of the qualities he looks for in a wife. of his female acquaintances throughout history but the female being who most resembles the fairy child due to the similarity of their characteristics is Tanis Judique according to him. Indeed, Tanis meets all but one of Babbitt's expectations and if he fails to have a satisfactory relationship with her, it is probably because of this one missing feature. Babbitt first met Tanis as one of his clients at the real estate agency and he quickly finds in her the youth, beauty and attractiveness he is looking for. Babbitt in fact immediately focuses on her age, thinking that "he must have been forty or forty-two, but he thought she was younger" (269) and he continues his description of her body and face in an enhancing tone. (269- 70), implying that Tanis meets Babbitt's first requirement for an ideal woman. Beyond his physical appearance, Tanis also offers Babbitt the understanding he desired. When they spend an evening together, they agree on all subjects: the weather, the ban. , art, modern girls, etc. (308). Tanis makes up for the understanding that Myra does not provide Babbitt and he realizes this once Tanis is gone when he says, "I thought I was so smart and independent, by removing Tanis." , and I need her, Lord, as I need her. Myra just can't figure out life is getting along like everyone else. But Tanis, she would tell me that I was fine. » (358). Furthermore, the admiration that Babbitt expects from the ideal woman is also one of Tanis' qualities. Since their first meeting, she has never been shy about complimenting Babbitt, whether on his questionable driving skills ordance (270-71). DIY knowledge (307), etc. Overall, Tanis' personality and appearance seem to closely resemble that of the fairy child and, therefore, the ideal woman Babbitt is looking for. This is what he believes when he declares: “I found it. ! I've dreamed of her all these years and now I found her! (316). However, as an indecisive man, Babbitt is still unhappy with his relationship with Tanis. Indeed, later in the story, when she calls him at his office, he realizes that he is annoyed by such a demand for attention and begins to do it. feels trapped in their relationship and he finally ends their relationship after many conflicting thoughts and once he does, although he is not completely convinced to let her go, he is overcome by a feeling of relief and of freedom (349). Thus, despite all her characteristics resembling those of the fairy child, Tanis cannot bring complete satisfaction to Babbitt because she does not have the capacity to offer Babbitt the freedom he expects from his ideal woman. Babbitt also fails to build a successful relationship with other women due to the way he behaves. Indeed, due to Tanis and Myra's inability to satisfy Babbitt's need for freedom, the protagonist desperately begins a sort of behavior of sentimental rebellion. This romantic revolt is illustrated throughout the book when he tries, in vain, to seduce or impress some of his female acquaintances. What prevents Babbitt from having a successful relationship here is not a lack of expected qualities but his own behavior towards women. A similar process actually applies to each of his attempts to seduce a woman. First, whether with Miss McGoun, Louetta Swanson or the manicurist Ida Putiak, Babbitt finds in each of these women a particularity that does not leave him indifferent. For example, he mentions Ida Putiak as “[t]he girl who particularly bothered him” (273) or he even associates Miss McGoun and Louetta Swanson with the fairy child, his ultimate ideal. Then he tries to seduce the girl in question and since she does not respond positively to his advances, he usually becomes too pushy, fails badly and ultimately, builds up frustration. With Miss McGoun, Babbitt repeatedly tries to be more private with her, but each time the conversation returns to the professional level. Disappointed, he convinces himself that he “knew there was nothing he could do” (265) but his detachment is betrayed when he recognizes that he misses her when she is absent (357). As for Louetta Swanson, at Babbitt's dinner, while sitting next to her, the protagonist begins with a flattering description of her (126). He then compliments her on her looks and continues by openly flirting with her in front of her friends and his wife. Later in the story, when he is invited to the Swansons' house, he insists on helping Louetta, holds her hand, sits next to her and even has "the belief that they have always had a romantic attraction one for the other” (266). He continues to flirt with her until she rejects him. At this point, Babbitt changes his attitude and, filled with frustration, claims that he never wanted anything from her and childishly avoids her for the rest of the night (268). The same process is repeatedly applied to other women he makes sexual advances toward, such as Ida Putiak. Although Babbitt criticizes men who "cool off with [her]" (276), he does exactly the same thing by inviting her to dinner just minutes after knowing her name (277-78) and returning home in taxi after their trip. In the evening together, he becomes too pushy towards Ida with his "hungry hands", begging her not to stop their kiss, 2003.