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...ces he considers more educated to determine what he believes. Babbitt is republican, not necessarily by choice, but simply because everyone else who his knows is republican, and it is the social norm. “He [Babbitt] searched for an attitude, but neither as a Republican, a Presbyterian, an Elk, nor a real-estate broker did he have any doctrine about preacher-mayors laid down for him, so he grunted and went on.” (P. 21) Babbitt needs to have his opinions “laid down for him”, especially in the rebellious stage of his life, for even then, he needs guidance on rejecting the world. The most influential part of the life of George F. Babbitt is his rebellion from society. Babbitt’s rebellion is foreshadowed in Chapter 13, where he goes off on an excursion after a real estate convention. During his time with his colleagues, he engages in activities that he could never speak of in Zenith. This outright rebellion against his moral values reveals his hypocrisy, and a lust to break free. More interesting about Babbitt’s excursion is the similarity to the actions that he once looked down upon as improper, “Babbitt disapproved of Mr. and Mrs. Doppelbrau as ‘Bohemian.’ From their house came midnight music and obscene laughter; there were neighborhood rumors of bootlegged whisky and fast motor rides.” (P. 24) As Babbitt begins to realize his hypocrisy his life begins to change, and more and more evidence of a rebellion is eminent. Babbitt begins to get frustrated with his family and job, but is unable to determine what he wants to do. “’I don’t hardly want to go back to work,’” Babbitt pleads with himself, “’I’d like to– I don’t know,’” (P. 234) In the end, he proves rather than not knowing what he wants to do, he does not know what he is doing. His outings with Tanis Judique bring out his rebellious nature to its peak, as he goes out for parties, movies, and drinking. In taking part in all of this, he rejects so much of what he was, but even in his rebellion, he falls into conformity. As he tips into his rebellion Babbitt meets Seneca Doane, a political leader who lost a campaign for mayor of Zenith because of Babbitt’s political influence. Their conversation brings back memories from their college years, and Doane reminds Babbitt that, “in college you [Babbitt] were an unusually liberal.” (P. 303) From this point forward, Babbitt adopts a new theme, stating that there is grave importance, “in being broad-minded and liberal” (P. 373) This statement is specifically derived from the conversations Babbitt has with Seneca Doane, and only furthermore truly defines how in the end, “Babbitt can only be Babbitt.” and Babbitt will never change. As the novel begins to come to a close, Sinclair’s Babbitt begins to feel the repercussions of his actions during his time of rebellion. His wife, Myra Thompson, becomes ill, and Babbitt returns to the world that he so recently rejected. In caring for his wife he begins to realize how much he needs the stability that he found in his conformity, and “he admitted he would regret them [excursions].” (P. 386) Babbitt admits to Thompson his affair with Judique, and tries to rebuild his life where he left after his rebellion. Babbitt in the end begins to realize that there is nothing more ...