Protagonist

Character Role Analysis

George F. Babbitt

The book's named after him, so we're going to go out on a limb and say that George Babbitt is the protagonist of this story. He's also the one whose inner conflict becomes the driving force of the book. What conflict is that, you ask? The guy is unsatisfied with his typical (albeit financially cushy) middle-class life.

And once his best buddy Paul goes to jail, Babbitt feels like there's hardly any reason to get up in the morning. Some would prescribe antidepressants. Some would tell Babbitt to suck it up. But instead of doing either of those things, Babbitt has an affair and starts drinking heavily. It's not the best way to deal with his problems, but it totally makes for good reading.