Babbit vs. The Hobbit
Sinclair Lewis' character of George Babbitt is similar to J.R.R Tolkien's character of Bilbo Baggins, but they are also very different. These two characters are alike in two different ways: in personality and the heroic journey. However, on every other subject these two characters are extraordinarily different. The most basic of these differences being that George Babbitt is an anti-hero and Bilbo Baggins is a hero. In the beginning both characters seem very much alike in the way that they are portrayed. Babbitt is shown as a well to do middle aged man enjoying an afternoon nap. He is also shown to be extremely average. Bilbo too is shown enjoying a pleasant afternoon in a very average way. Both personalities are basically the same: neither will take major risks and both would rather stay at home rather than go off on some kind of "adventure". Both are what are considered prominent, wealthy, normal, conforming members of their communities. However, both Babbitt and Bilbo show inner turmoil with their need to be "free". Here is where the differences start to appear. The hobbit refers to something as simple as climbing a tree as an adventure. The prominent business man thinks that spendin
The hobbit and Babbitt were two very different characters with the same personality in the beginning of the story. As the two different stories progress the characters were subjected to different adventures and put through different tests. In the end, Bilbo Baggins emerges as a different hobbit and George Babbitt who had struggled to be different ends up conforming after all. Each character is also tested in a different way. Bilbo was tested several different times, each dealing with his loyalty and service to the dwarves. One example of such a test was at the Lonely Mountain just before the Battle of Five Armies. Bilbo had stolen the Arkenstone from Thrain and decided to use it as a bargaining tool between Bard and the dwarves. The hobbit had to choose between his own desire for the stone and the good of everyone barricaded inside the mountain. Bilbo decided to help the dwarves and Men settle their differences. This looked like it was a bad decision at the time. Nevertheless, it was the right choice and if it hadn't been for Bilbo's actions the goblins would have won in the end. Babbitt's test was of a similar kind, he had to choose between two different women and decide which one would give him a b
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Approximate Word count = 822
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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