Chapter 14

It is election time in Zenith. Warren G. Harding is elected President. In Zenith, though, the most interesting race is for the position of mayor. Seneca Doane and Lucas Prout offer their candidature. Doane is a radical attorney, supported by the labor force. Prout, the wealthy manufacturer, is supported by most of the business community, including Babbitt. As part of his newfound love of orating, Babbitt campaigns for Prout in the neighborhood by delivering speeches. He is applauded by many for his efforts, and comes to be a major recognizable force in local politics.

The real boost in Babbitt's social status comes when Prout is elected mayor and asks Babbitt to deliver a speech at the victory banquet. Later, Babbitt is invited by the Zenith Real Estate Board to speak at the annual dinner. His views on American societies, socialism, and intellectualism are published in the Advocate Times. Babbitt's reputation as an orator spreads in Zenith.

Babbitt attains the peak of success when he starts to gain attention and fame as a great orator. During the elections at Zenith, he uses his ability of speech making to woo the voters in favor of Lucas Prout, the mayoral candidate. When Prout is elected, Babbitt is given credit for his contribution. And at the annual dinner of Zenith Real Estate Board, Babbitt's stirring speech gets him rave reviews in the Advocate Times. Babbitt the shrewd businessman adds one more feather to his cap by establishing his reputation as a skilled orator. His life is starting to be more like what he had once imagined.

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