How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Section.Paragraph)
Quote #7
The immense tenderness of the place sunk into Babbitt, and he murmured, "I'd just like to sit here—the rest of my life—and whittle—and sit. And never hear a typewriter." (11.2.2)
Sometimes, Babbitt is able to find some peace and quiet and actually experience some satisfaction. But these moments are always brief because he knows, deep down, that he's going to return to his regular business and family life.
Quote #8
But from his cot on the sleeping-porch he heard her weeping, slowly, without hope. (15.3.21)
Babbitt might think he's the only person in the world who's dissatisfied. But every now and then, he realizes that everyone else is too, especially his wife Myra. After a failed dinner party, Myra puts on a brave face and assures him that everything was a success. Afterward, though, he can hear her crying. The main difference between them is that Myra is much better at hiding her dissatisfaction from the world.
Quote #9
It came to him that he had nothing to do, that there was nothing he wanted to do. (19.3.33)
One of the biggest problems with Babbitt's dissatisfaction is that he often has trouble figuring out how to drag himself out of it. If it were as simple as wanting something, he could just go out and get it. The problem is that Babbitt doesn't really want anything. The world seems empty to him, and at this point, we might start to wonder if the guy has sunk into full-blown depression.