Babbitt · Character

Chum Frink

A grinning poet-adman of the Boosters' circle, T. Cholmondeley Frink turns greeting-card sentiment into copy and Zenith's boosterism into verse.

supporting

Also known as Frink, T. Cholmondeley Frink, Mr. Frink

First appearance: chapter i

As a supporting figure in Babbitt, Chum Frink is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Part of the Roughnecks table at the Athletic Club.

In the storyChapter IIIOpen this moment free

See Chum Frink in Chapter III Book page

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Frink belongs to Babbitt's club-and-Booster world, one of the men whose approval Babbitt measures himself against at the Roughnecks' Table. He is a professional optimist, a versifier whose rhymes and advertising jingles give the city its self-satisfied music, and his easy fellowship with Babbitt reveals how thoroughly commerce and culture have merged in Zenith. His presence sharpens the novel's satire of a business civilization that mistakes slogans for art.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Chum Frink sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Chum Frink in chapter i

Character Web

28 connections

A slice of how Chum Frink sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Friendship
Other

Character groups

Babbitt's Inner Circle
Protagonist
Extended Social Orbit

+23 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because Babbitt's vague, suppressed dread about Paul crystallizes into a s…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

George F. Babbitt
friendship · positive
A poet and advertising man who is part of George's social circle, representing the blend… How this plays out →
George F. Babbitt
friendship · positive
A poet and advertising man who is part of George's social circle, representing the blend… How this plays out →
George F. Babbitt
friendship · positive
A poet and advertising man who is part of George's social circle, representing the blend… How this plays out →

George F. Babbitt
A poet and advertising man who is part of George's social circle, representing the blend of artistic pretension and commercialism in Zenith.
George F. Babbitt
A poet and advertising man who is part of George's social circle, representing the blend of artistic pretension and commercialism in Zenith.
George F. Babbitt
A poet and advertising man who is part of George's social circle, representing the blend of artistic pretension and commercialism in Zenith.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Chum Frink in chapter i

In the story

Chum Frink appears across 21 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter III
Part of the Roughnecks table at the Athletic Club.
Chapter VIII
A distinguished poet and guest at the dinner, known for his syndicated 'Poemulations' and advertising work.
I
Famous poet and advertising man, invited as a guest.
III
Reveals his literary struggles with advertising, comparing his Zeeco Car ads to the Prince Albert Tobacco ads.
Chapter IX
Leads the table-tipping and spiritualism session, calling on the spirit of Dante. Babbitt worries that Frink might be a genuine spiritualist, which would be almost as bad as being a socialist.
I
Leads the spiritualist séance, attempts to contact the spirit of Dante.
Chapter XIII
Babbitt consults him for writing advice on his convention paper.
II
Sought by Babbitt for writing advice; appears hunted and evasive.
Chapter III
Wrote the official City Song sung by the delegates.
III
Quoted in Babbitt's speech for a poem about his lecture tours, exemplifying the booster spirit.
II
Joins Babbitt and Eathorne in Dr. Drew's office for the committee proposal.
Chapter XVII
Supports Babbitt's Sunday School proposals and suggests Kenneth Escott as a press agent.
I
Supports Babbitt's ideas and suggests Kenneth Escott as press agent.
Chapter XXI
Gives a speech advocating for a symphony orchestra as a means of cultural advertising for Zenith.
Chapter XXIII
Drunkenly confesses his regret over not becoming a serious poet, revealing his disillusionment with his commercial work.
I
Appears drunk and agitated in the fog, lamenting his lost potential as a poet and confessing that he writes 'tripe' instead of the great verse he could have produced.
I
Doane is described as resembling Chum Frink in appearance.
Chapter XXVII
Frink expresses hope that Dr. Drew will condemn the strikers, and later looks at Babbitt doubtfully after Babbitt criticizes the sermon.
I
Sits beside Babbitt in church; expects the preacher to condemn the strikers, and glances doubtfully at Babbitt after his muttered criticism.
III
Protests to Gunch about Babbitt's recent behavior, specifically his criticism of Dr. Drew's sermon.
Chapter XXVIII
Mentioned in Babbitt's story about the club debate over the strike.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Chum Frink unlock in the free preview.

See Chum Frink in chapter i

See Chum Frink in Chapter III