# Seneca Doane — Babbitt character guide

> Seneca Doane in Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Doane, Mr. Seneca Doane, Senny Doane

**First appearance:** 0000-chapter-i

## Snapshot

Babbitt's college classmate turned liberal lawyer and labor ally, the crank whose quiet kindness unsettles everything Babbitt believes about rebels.

## Who they are

Seneca Doane was once Babbitt's classmate and a promising corporation counsel before he turned to farmer-labor tickets and socialist friends, and Zenith's boosters now cite him as a cautionary example. Meeting him on the train, Babbitt expects a fanatic and finds instead a gentle, book-reading man who likes dancing and pretty women and remembers the liberal boy Babbitt used to be. Doane's unassuming decency gives Babbitt a mirror for his own abandoned ideals and quietly indicts the conformity he has settled into.

## Relationships

### [George F. Babbitt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/characters/george_f_babbitt)

_rivalry_

A liberal lawyer and social critic whom George initially fears and despises as a radical, but later briefly admires during his rebellious phase.

### [George F. Babbitt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/characters/george_f_babbitt)

_rivalry_

A liberal lawyer and social critic whom George initially fears and despises as a radical, but later briefly admires during his rebellious phase.

### [George F. Babbitt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/characters/george_f_babbitt)

_rivalry_

A liberal lawyer and social critic whom George initially fears and despises as a radical, but later briefly admires during his rebellious phase.

## In the story

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/iv)

Referenced as a radical lawyer whose report on jail conditions Babbitt dismisses without investigation.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/v)

Defends Zenith against charges of standardization, arguing that standardization of things is fine but standardization of thought is the enemy.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/vi)

Mentioned as a 'squealer' and target of Offutt's desire to run him out of town.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/i)

Candidate for mayor on a labor ticket, opposed by Babbitt and the united Democrats and Republicans.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/iii)

Referenced as the defeated opponent of Lucas Prout, representing 'Class Rule' in contrast to 'Sound Business.'

### [Chapter XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/chapter-xxvi)

Babbitt encounters him on a train; Doane is reading 'The Way of All Flesh' and discusses his liberal views, including support for the controversial preacher Beecher Ingram.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/i)

Doane, a radical lawyer and former classmate of Babbitt, discusses his views and asks Babbitt to help protect Beecher Ingram.

### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/ii)

Referenced as a model of generosity that Babbitt aspires to emulate.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/iii)

Mentioned as a target of Gunch's ire; Babbitt mildly defends him, then later uses him as an example of a successful lawyer to influence Ted.

### [Chapter XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/chapter-xxvii)

Doane is seen marching with the strikers, smiling and content, which surprises Babbitt and makes him reconsider his views.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/i)

Mentioned as Babbitt's friend who defends arrested strikers, causing Babbitt to consider explaining the 'agitator' viewpoint to him.

### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/ii)

Seen marching with the strikers, described as smiling and content.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/v)

Babbitt briefly considers visiting Seneca Doane to talk things over, but fears the social consequences.

### [Chapter XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/chapter-xxix)

Praised by Babbitt at the Athletic Club, causing tension with conservative friends like Virgil Gunch.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/i)

Babbitt praises Doane as having one of the keenest intellects in the country.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/iii)

Referenced by Colonel Snow as one of the 'dangerous elements' Babbitt has been supporting.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/characters/seneca_doane
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/characters