How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Section.Paragraph)
Quote #1
He looked regretfully at the blanket—forever a suggestion to him of freedom and heroism. He had bought it for a camping trip which had never come off. (1.3.4)
One of the things that Babbitt wants most out of life is freedom and independence. Unfortunately, the guy also feels lonely and craves companionship. It's a bit of a double bind. It doesn't help that he keeps making big plans for trips that he never ends up taking. That's got dissatisfaction written all over it.
Quote #2
While she waited, tapping a long, precise pencil-point on the desk-tablet, he half identified her with the fairy girl of his dreams. He imagined their eyes meeting with terrifying recognition; imagined touching her lips with frightened reverence. (3.2.20)
It's not long before Babbitt's general dissatisfaction starts making him crave some sort of outlet in his everyday life. In his dreams, the figure of a fairy child always promises to make him feel young and beautiful. But dreaming isn't enough. Babbitt wants this kind of satisfaction in real life, so he starts looking for young women who might be able to fill in for the role of the fairy child.
Quote #3
"Course I wouldn't beef about it to the fellows at the Roughnecks' Table there, but you—Ever feel that way, Paul?" (5.3.28)
Babbitt is cagey about bringing up his dissatisfaction. He won't mention it to his wife Myra and he certainly won't mention it to his barroom buddies. But he will talk about this sort of thing to his best friend Paul. In this moment, he reaches out and looks for some reassurance. He wants to know that other people have felt his kind of dissatisfaction before.