Just as he was an Elk, a Booster, and a member of the Chamber of Commerce, just as the priests of the Presbyterian Church determined his every religious belief and the senators who controlled the Republican Party decided in little smoky rooms in Washington what he should think about disarmament, tariff, and Germany, so did the large national advertisers fix the surface of his life, fix what he believed to be his individuality.
The character in Sinclair Lewis's "Babbitt" represents a man whose identity and beliefs are heavily influenced by various societal organizations and authority figures. He aligns himself with groups like the Elks, local businesses, and religious institutions, which dictate his values and opinions. These affiliations shape his worldview and restrict his ability to think independently.
Moreover, national advertisers play a significant role in molding his perception of individuality, suggesting that consumerism and...
