Babbitt · Character

Kenneth Escott

A slow, high-browed young reporter courting Verona Babbitt, forever discussing ideas when the family wishes he would simply propose.

supporting

Also known as Escott, Ken, Ken Escott

First appearance: chapter i

See Kenneth Escott in chapter i Book page

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Ken Escott is the young journalist who has attached himself to Verona, and to Ted and Babbitt he is a puzzle: a nice enough lad who smokes too much and cannot seem to get to the point. He belongs to the earnest, bookish younger generation that the Babbitt men regard with affectionate exasperation, and his courtship of Verona becomes a running family joke about pep, speed, and responsibility. He matters as a measure of the generational distance inside the Babbitt household.

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See Kenneth Escott in chapter i

Character Web

26 connections

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

Relationship types

Family
Other

Character groups

Church and Family Ties
Extended Social Orbit
Protagonist

+21 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…

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Relationships

George F. Babbitt
family · ambivalent
George F. Babbitt
family · ambivalent
George F. Babbitt
family · ambivalent

George F. Babbitt
Verona's fiancé, a young journalist with liberal views whom George initially distrusts but eventually accepts as a son-in-law.
George F. Babbitt
Verona's fiancé, a young journalist with liberal views whom George initially distrusts but eventually accepts as a son-in-law.
George F. Babbitt
Verona's fiancé, a young journalist with liberal views whom George initially distrusts but eventually accepts as a son-in-law.

Relationship notes

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

See Kenneth Escott in chapter i

In the story

Kenneth Escott appears across 12 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter XVII
A shy, lonely reporter who becomes a friend to the Babbitts and a radical influence on Verona; he is hired as part-time press agent for the Sunday School.
I
Mentioned as a potential part-time press agent for the Sunday School.
Chapter III
Appointed press-agent for the Sunday School; shy and lonely, he bonds with Verona over shared 'radical' ideas and enjoys dinner at the Babbitt home.
IV
Grins at Babbitt's suggestion, criticizes Dr. Drew's self-promotion, but agrees to run the article.
I
Kenneth Escott is interested in Verona, and his hesitant ardors make Babbitt hopeful and playful about a potential romance.
IV
Courts Verona with a cautious, radical intellectualism, attending lectures and discussing statistics.
V
Participates in lengthy philosophical talks with Verona.
III
Discussed by Babbitt and Ted as a slow suitor for Verona.
Chapter XXVI
After a pure-food crusade, he lands a job at a commission-house and is now engaged to Verona.
III
After a pure-food crusade, he lands a job at a commission-house and is now able to marry Verona.
Chapter II
Now engaged to Verona Babbitt, he is present at the Babbitt family Christmas gathering.
III
Marries Verona and leaves with her after the wedding.

Chapter companion notes

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See Kenneth Escott in chapter i