The shame of emotion overpowered them; they cursed a little, to prove they were good rough fellows; and in a mellow silence, Babbitt whistling while Paul hummed, they paddled back to the hotel.
In Sinclair Lewis's "Babbitt," the characters confront their emotions following an eventful experience. They feel a sense of shame for allowing their feelings to surface, leading them to use mild cursing as a way to assert their rugged masculinity. This reflects a societal expectation for men to appear tough and unemotional, despite their internal struggles. As they make their way back to the hotel, there's a notable shift in their demeanor. Babbitt starts whistling while Paul hums, creating a mellow atmosphere that juxtaposes the earlier tension. This moment encapsulates the complexity of their feelings, highlighting how they navigate the conflict between societal expectations and personal emotions.
In Sinclair Lewis's "Babbitt," the characters confront their emotions following an eventful experience. They feel a sense of shame for allowing their feelings to surface, leading them to use mild cursing as a way to assert their rugged masculinity. This reflects a societal expectation for men to appear tough and unemotional, despite their internal struggles.
As they make their way back to the hotel, there's a notable shift in their demeanor. Babbitt starts whistling while Paul hums, creating a mellow atmosphere that juxtaposes the earlier tension. This moment encapsulates the complexity of their feelings, highlighting how they navigate the conflict between societal expectations and personal emotions.
