# Zilla Riesling — Babbitt character guide > Zilla Riesling in Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Zilla, Mrs. Riesling, Zilla Colbeck **First appearance:** 0000-chapter-i ## Snapshot Paul's sharp-tongued, chronically aggrieved wife, whose nagging has worn her husband down to a man who plays violin in secret. ## Who they are Zilla is the domestic weather Paul cannot escape, a woman whose complaints have become the texture of their marriage and whose presence explains why Paul clings to Babbitt's friendship like a lifeline. She is not a villain so much as a force of attrition, and her scenes with Paul reveal how ordinary unhappiness can grind a sensitive man into furtive consolations. Her marriage is the cautionary version of the Babbitts' own. ## Relationships ### [George F. Babbitt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/characters/george_f_babbitt) _rivalry_ George despises Zilla for her nagging and destructive influence on his friend Paul, viewing her as the primary cause of Paul's misery. ### [Paul Riesling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/characters/paul_riesling) _family_ A deeply unhappy and abusive marriage where Zilla's constant criticism and control drive Paul to desperation and ultimately to violence. ### [George F. Babbitt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/characters/george_f_babbitt) _rivalry_ George despises Zilla for her nagging and destructive influence on his friend Paul, viewing her as the primary cause of Paul's misery. ### [Paul Riesling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/characters/paul_riesling) _family_ A deeply unhappy and abusive marriage where Zilla's constant criticism and control drive Paul to desperation and ultimately to violence. ### [Paul Riesling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/characters/paul_riesling) _family_ A deeply unhappy and abusive marriage where Zilla's constant criticism and control drive Paul to desperation and ultimately to violence. ### [George F. Babbitt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/characters/george_f_babbitt) _rivalry_ George despises Zilla for her nagging and destructive influence on his friend Paul, viewing her as the primary cause of Paul's misery. ## In the story ### [Chapter V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/chapter-v) Mentioned as a source of Paul's frustration; her behavior at the movies is described. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/iii) Described by Paul as domineering, flirtatious, and a source of his unhappiness; an incident at the movies is recounted. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/iv) Mentioned as the woman who captivated Paul and mocked Babbitt as a country boy. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/chapter-x) Verbally attacks Paul; is confronted by Babbitt and breaks down, agreeing to let Paul go to Maine. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/i) Alternates between furious accusations and melodramatic self-abasement, enjoying the drama. ### [Chapter XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/chapter-xiv) Accompanies Paul to Babbitt's campaign speech. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/ii) Present in the car with the group, though not directly quoted. ### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/chapter-xv) Mentioned as the source of Paul's troubles before the dinner. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/ii) Referenced as the cause of Paul's glumness due to a recent quarrel. ### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/chapter-xvi) Zilla is silent during Paul's violin playing, allowing a moment of peace. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/i) Paul's wife; she is silent when Paul plays violin in the evening. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/chapter-xx) Appears disheveled and bitter, accusing Paul of infidelity and lamenting their strained marriage. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/i) Referenced as Paul's nagging wife who suspects his infidelity and is capable of having him shadowed. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/ii) Receives Babbitt's visit; appears disheveled and bitter, argues about Paul's alleged infidelity and his silent treatment, but promises to restrain herself. ### [Chapter XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/chapter-xxii) Shot by Paul; hospitalized but expected to recover; her shoulder is badly injured. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/i) Shot by Paul; hospitalized but not expected to die; Babbitt visits the hospital to inquire about her condition. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/iii) Mentioned as the victim; doctors testify she will recover. ### [Chapter XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/chapter-xxv) Mentioned in Babbitt's thoughts as a source of Paul's misery; part of the 'brisk exactitudes' from which Paul is imagined to be freed. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/iv) Babbitt wonders what she is doing, reflecting his preoccupation with the lives of his acquaintances. ### [Chapter XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/chapter-xxvi) Now deeply religious, she delivers a fiery sermon to Babbitt, celebrating Paul's imprisonment as divine punishment. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/i) Babbitt feels sorry for Zilla Riesling in his newfound idealistic mood. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/ii) Now aged, bitter, and fanatically religious; she refuses to forgive Paul and insists he stay in prison as an example. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/characters/zilla_riesling - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/characters