Question

Excerpt from Babbitt - How does the author's decision to begin passage 2 with a description of the city affect the reader's perception of Babbitt's situation?

1. The description of impressive office buildings becomes a metaphor for Babbitt's career.
2. The details of the city's towers provide a positive comparison to the structure of Babbitt's home.
3. The description of whistles calling people cheerfully to work highlights the effect of Babbitt's alarm clock.
4. The description of the city provides a direct contrast for the description of Babbitt himself.

Answer 1

The author's decision to describe the city at the beginning of passage 2 in 'Babbitt' serves to contrast Babbitt's personal life with the industrial environment, highlighting the disconnect between his aspirations and his reality.

Step-by-step explanation:

The author's decision to begin passage 2 of Babbitt with a description of the city sets the stage for Babbitt's situation. By describing the city's towers and industrial atmosphere prior to focusing on Babbitt's personal narrative, the reader is given context that accentuates the contrast between Babbitt's mundane existence and the bustling city life. This juxtaposition amplifies the understanding of Babbitt's character and his place within the modern, industrialised society. The sullen smoke and industrial grime paint a bleak picture that likely mirrors Babbitt's internal state, suggesting that his personal aspirations and the reality of his life are as obscured as the natural world amidst the city's industrial smoke. As the city description provides a direct contrast for the description of Babbitt himself, the vivid imagery used by the author affects the reader's perception by heightening the sense of disconnection between Babbitt and the vibrant city life surrounding him.