Babbitt

15 Points Per Correct Answer - No time limit  

1. To which prominent American female novelist was "Babbitt" dedicated? Edna Ferber Taylor Caldwell Edith Wharton Willa Cather

2. George F. Babbitt, the title character, is asleep when the novel begins; how does Lewis describe his appearance in slumber? Babyish Impish Prematurely aged Saturnine

3. Babbitt's profession is real estate development and sales. Despite the fact that designing and selling homes is his livelihood, there is one aspect of housing about which he is supremely (and rather shamefully) ignorant; what is it? Roofing Heating Insulation Sanitation

4. Babbitt's closest friend is the deeply troubled and sensitive Paul Riesling, whom he has known since boyhood and looks upon as a needy and admiring younger brother. Babbitt's love for Paul is described as being matched only by his love for which two people? Himself and his son Ted. Himself and his wife Myra Himself and his daughter Tinka Himself and his daughter Verona

5. Babbitt's wife Myra is related to his best friend, Paul. True False

6. Which profession had Babbitt initially intended to pursue? Finance Medicine Law Teaching

7. Paul Riesling is deeply unhappy and frustrated in his marriage to the shrewish and inconsiderate Zilla; what artistic outlet does he use to escape his troubles? He paints He writes poetry He plays the piano He plays the violin

8. Early in the novel, the Babbitts host a dinner party at their home. The entire menu is lifted from a woman's magazine and everything that is served (except for the main course of fried chicken) is disguised to resemble something else. On his way home from work, Babbitt makes two stops to pick up items for the dinner party; which two items are they? Coffee and paper napkins Bread and butter Ice cream and liquor Pastries and wine

9. Concerned over Paul's unhappiness, Babbitt arranges for the two of them to get away to Maine for a few days (ahead of their wives) to relax and unwind. On the train, Babbitt becomes engaged in conversation with a group of like-minded businessmen and a session of loud, forthright mutual agreement begins. Paul remains aloof at first, but is gradually drawn into the conversation. At one point, however, the train passes a steel mill and Paul makes an observation which distances him from the others and throws a damper on their conversation. What is the nature of Paul's unfortunate statement? He comments on the beauty of the steel mill. He reflects pensively on the lives of the mill-workers. He rages against industrialization. He compares the mill to Dante's inferno.

10. In his dreams, Babbitt is frequently visited by the "fairy child", a lithe, nymph-like creature who remains eternally youthful and in whose eyes he himself is perpetually young and full of promise and vigor. At one point in the novel, the "fairy child" quite disturbingly takes the form of a female of Babbitt's acquaintance; who is it? Eunice Littlefield, Ted's girlfriend Miss McGoun, his secretary Zilla Riesling, Paul's wife His wife, Myra

11. On a business trip to Chicago, Babbitt stays at the Regency Hotel where, during dinner, he has an unpleasant surprise; what happens? His wife, Myra, shows up to join him for the weekend. He sees Verona having dinner with a married man. He discovers that Paul is having an affair. He sees one of his employees talking with a business rival.

12. Upon his return to Zenith, Babbitt is overjoyed at being appointed vice-president of the Booster Club. His joy is short-lived, however; shortly after his appointment, his wife calls him with the news that Paul has shot and wounded Zilla during an argument. Desperate to get his one true bosom companion out of prison, Babbitt visits Lawyer Maxwell (Paul's attorney) and makes an outrageous proposal; what is it? He offers to bribe the judge. He offers to perjure himself on the witness stand. He offers to get Paul released on bail and help him to skip town. He offers to bribe a doctor to testify that Paul is insane.

13. Babbitt visits Paul in prison and learns that he intends to plead "Not Guilty" by reason of temporary insanity. True False

14. Disconsolate over the sudden absence of Paul in his life, Babbitt finds himself even more alone when Myra leaves town for a spell to visit her ailing sister. It occurs to him that his comfortable middle-class life is meaningless and empty and he resolves to find a real-life embodiment of the "fairy child" of his dreams. Which of these females does he NOT at least consider propositioning? Miss McGoun Ida Putiak, manicurist at Thornleigh's barber shop. Louetta Swanson Eunice Littlefield

15. Still desperate to get Paul released, Babbitt pays a visit to Zilla to suggest that she ask the Governor to pardon him. To his horror and dismay, Zilla has undergone a disturbing transformation; in what way is she different? She has developed amnesia She has become a religious fanatic. She has gone insane. She has become a deaf-mute.

16. During a labor strike in Zenith, Babbitt shows signs of changing his heretofore narrow world view. This change is noted by his friends and acquaintances, who find it deeply disturbing. Which of these, in particular, leads him to be shunned by his former associates? His mild defense of Seneca Doane. His reluctance to join the "Good Citizens' League" His affair with Tanis Judique. His expression of mild support for the strikers.

17. After her return, Myra Babbitt gradually realizes that her husband is having an affair. True False

18. What disturbing event causes Babbitt to finally abandon his association with Mrs. Judique and her group and return to his former state of social conformity and domestic stability? His wife becomes seriously ill. His daughter Tinka runs away from home. His wife attempts suicide. His son discovers his affair.

19. Babbitt is appalled when his son Ted elopes with Eunice Littlefield near the end of the novel. True False

20. Which of these eminent English authors and essayists said of Lewis' novel "I wish I could have written Babbitt"? Henry Arthur Jones John Galsworthy D.H. Lawrence H.G. Wells