Who Is Sinclair Lewis Babbitt

Newspapers had once been the only mass communication & entertainment. The demand for new products that emerged in the 1920s created a new industry, advertising, which enticed buyers to purchase new products, and now that the radio had emerged, advertising was integrated into this media outlet . Radio shows like Amos n' Andy, became a nationwide hit. The advertising industry grew with the emerging industries of mass culture, especially radio and cinema. For the first time, from coast to coast, Americans experienced the same shows and used the same advertised products due to mass culture. The first commercial radio station aired in 1920 and broadcast music to a few thousand listeners. By the end of the decade, thirty-three

As America continues to grow, it goes through many dramatic changes, and downfalls, allowing it to develop. The 1920s and the 1930s are examples of such time periods that enabled America to mature as a nation. Many Americans perceived the 1920s as a time of economic and social prosperity, while they regarded the 1930s as a time of economic and societal disaster. Though the differences are striking, the two decades are closely connected and both have their positives and negatives. For numerous Americans, the 1920s appeared to be a decade of welfare; it was a time of economic and social renewal.

Prior to the 1920s people were already not given equal prosperity. This can be seen in 1882 by the Chinese Exclusion Act, the first significant law restricting immigration into the United States. However, the ban was only against the immigration of Chinese laborers. Furthermore, Andrew Carnegie owner from the steel industry from 1973-1901 controlled the most extensive integrated iron and steel operations ever owned by in the United States. Although Carnegie gained millions, he paid his workers little. Therefore, the 1920s did not give prosperity to everyone including those who were immigrants, the new technological advancements, and the economic difference in social classes.

“We stand at Armageddon, and we battle for the Lord” (Gould). Many can quote Roosevelt on his motto “Speak softly and carry a big stick.” However, this quote does not capture the beliefs Roosevelt held deep within himself. He wanted a square deal for the common man, woman, and child. He wanted to rid America of the corruption that was rampant at the time due to immense greed and accumulation of wealth. To him, these goals were not just a political agenda. He wanted to establish a moral crusade to abolish the injustice done to average Americans on a regular basis. So when Roosevelt says that it was a battle for the Lord, it was not merely political rhetoric. To him, it was an obligatory moral reality.

The Roaring Twenties started in North America and spread to Europe as the effects of World War I diminished. In Europe, the years following the First World War (1919-1923) were marked by a deep recession. Europe spent these years in rebuilding and coming to terms with the vast human cost of the conflict. Unlike in the aftermath of World War II, the United States did little to try to rebuild Europe. Instead, it took an increasingly isolationist stance (Answers, 2006).

Satire reflects in different ways on our society today. While satire was all over back then today we mainly see it in political cartoons and on television. On television there are show such as the Colbert Report and John Oliver who relay "news reports" to viewers. They are poking fun at the news going in the world today. One of the biggest shows of Satire is SNL. Most recently they have had "Trump" on and have been making fun of presidential career thus far. In today's society the big butt and boobs are the goal for many up and coming stars. For television hosts this gives a chance for them to make parody's of them. For example, Ellen DeGeneres has dressed up as a fictional cousin of the Kardashians. In this costume she has the big hair, big

The nineteen twenties can be summed up as one of the most important improvements on theatre, paintings, music, building, and culture.

            Lewis also draws an image of George Babbitt's sanctimoniousness through his idea of Hell.  We see Babbitt's hypocrisy when he says, "if one was a Bad Man, that is, if he murdered or committed burglary or used cocaine or had mistresses or sold non-existent real estate, he would be punished"  (199).  Notice how everything Babbitt mentions at the time is something he has not done, however as he continues to live his life he eventually pulls a crooked real estate deal and begins to cheat on his wife, Myra.  Babbitt's flirtatious character is seen when he dates several women and is careless because of his wife's absence.  Lewis practically points out Babbitt's hypocrisy through his failure to comply with his own criteria of who does and who does not go to Hell.

A book where everything is backwards, where everything stirs away from reality and does not make a whole lot of sense when it comes to relativity. The main character Arthur Dent is being targeted by these unprepossessing aliens to demolish his house to make a intergalactic bypass, when moments later they are going to destroy the earth. All Arthur can worry about is his house when the earth is going to end. In reality a normal human would be worried about surviving. A smart computer built by Deep thought detects that the answer to the ultimate question is Forty-Two, now all of the humans are insanely muddled as to why the answer is Forty-Two. Mice are now ruling over humans when we have experimented with them for years, the mice are the rulers over the humans and are experimenting on them. Satire is used in many ways throughout this book, but there are only a few that really express how today's society is ruled over.

The 1920’s where a time of conservatism, it was a time of great social change. From the world of fashion to the world to politics, forces clashed to produce the most explosive decade of the century.

The counter culture of the 1920’s has affected the way the American lifestyle is today. Counter culture is a culture that primarily consists of younger people, with values and lifestyles opposing those of the original established culture. (Dictionary.com) A need for change. The 1920’s are also known as the “Jazz Age,” which was coined by F. Scott Fitzgerald, and the “Roaring Twenties.” It was a decade of change. (Hakim, 41) The counterculture of the 1920’s resulted from the Age of Jazz, Flappers, and the Harlem Renaissance.

What is satire? According to oxforddictionaries.com, satire is “The use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people’s stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues.” This literary device is portrayed heavily in both the illustrations “Gin Lane” by William Hogarth and in “Untitled” by Paul Kuczynski. “Gin Lane” is basically an illustration by William Hogarth that depicts life in the gin shops and shows the negative effects the drink had on the people of London. It shines a light on the horrible circumstances London was under when gin was introduced to its people. “Unititled” is an illustration by Paul Kuczynski that represents how our current society

The 1920s began shortly after World War I when the United States and the allies defeated the Germans in 1918. The 1920’s became known as the “Roaring Twenties,” because of its changes in politics, economics, society, culture and foreign policy. Industries were making their products at an increasing rate; they became richer and more powerful than before World War I. The 1920s were also seen as a decade of contradiction, increase and decrease faith, great hope and great despair.

1. Locate an example of satire. Copy and paste it here, making sure to note the source where you found it in a proper citation.

The play Death of a Salesman greatly portrays a specific ideology in regards to values, dreams, goals, and success in our consumer-driven society. It helps showcase the American dream that society tends to strive for even in the early 1900’s (the play is set in the 1940’s). That dream of being a successful business person or vendor. As well as the theory that image and physical attributes are most important to gaining fruition. Willy Loman plays a man in his sixties who has strived for this American dream for over 30 years but realistically has failed miserably on his goal in life – a wealthy salesman like his idol Dave Singleman (a fellow who could make a fortune selling without even leaving his hotel room). He spends his entire life in