How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Section.Paragraph)
Quote #7
Though he saw them twice daily, though he knew and amply discussed every detail of their expenditures, yet for weeks together Babbitt was no more conscious of his children than of the buttons on his coat-sleeves. (18.1.1)
When Babbitt's mind is on work, he doesn't notice much about the world around him. And this goes especially for his children. The only way he does know them, in fact, is by the amount of money they're spending. Which you have to admit isn't the best way to know your kids.
Quote #8
Babbitt was an average father. He was affectionate, bullying, opinionated, ignorant, and rather wistful. Like most parents, he enjoyed the game of waiting till the victim was clearly wrong, then virtuously pouncing. (18.1.11)
It's pretty late in the book for the narrator to be directly telling us what kind of guy Babbitt is. But oh well. Here, the narrator reminds us that Babbitt is pretty average as a dad. He really, really likes to be right, and he is always waiting for someone to make a clear mistake so he can pounce on it… which just seems super-cruel.
Quote #9
When Ted had returned to Zenith, Babbitt was lonely. (19.3.32)
Eventually, Babbitt realizes that he might find his life more meaningful if he makes more of an effort to connect with his son Ted. And this is exactly what seems to happen when he takes Ted on a trip to Chicago. Unfortunately, Ted needs to go home for school and Babbitt is left all alone again to face the emptiness inside himself.