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The Way of All Flesh

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The Way of All Flesh by Samuel Butler is a novel that follows the life of Ernest Pontifex, a young man who challenges religious and academic assumptions, reflecting the society of the Victorian era. The story explores the struggles of the Pontifex family over four generations, focusing on characters like Ernest, his parents, and his godfather who plays a significant role in his financial inheritance. The book is a satirical and philosophical commentary on Victorian society, presenting a sarcastic indictment of various aspects of the era.

Characters:

Characters are primarily divined through their extremes, with Ernest as a relatable victim, Theobald as a tyrant, and a supporting cast of hypocritical figures.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by tongue-in-cheek humor and verbose philosophical discussions, offering both satire and critiques of societal norms.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot follows the generations of the Pontifax family, focusing on the challenges faced by Ernest, serving both as a family saga and a critique of societal norms.

Setting:

The setting is Victorian England, with a focus on family dynamics and social norms that shape its characters, especially concerning religion.

Pacing:

The pacing starts slow, particularly in the first third, but eventually builds as it follows Ernest's life, though some find it tedious overall.
OLD Mr Pontifex had married in the year 1750, but for fifteen years his wife bore no children. At the end of that time Mrs Pontifex astonished the whole village by showing unmistakable signs of a disp...

Notes:

The book centers around four generations of the Pontifax family.
The main character, Ernest, experiences many misfortunes that are often not his fault.
Ernest's family struggles mirror changing societal values regarding family and parenting.
The novel critiques Victorian society and organized religion.
The author, Samuel Butler, drew heavily from his own life experiences.
Butler’s father, who was a cleric, greatly influenced the portrayal of parenting in the novel.
The book was published posthumously in 1903, but written earlier.
Ernest's perspective is shaped by his godfather, who serves as the narrator.
The book is considered a slow-moving satire with deep philosophical undertones.
It explores themes of hypocrisy within family and religious structures.
Many characters in the novel are depicted as unreasonable and abusive.
The book is seen as a precursor to modernist literature, pushing against rigid Victorian morals.
One of Butler's critiques is the notion that 'the just shall live by faith.'
The novel handles complex ideas of subjectivity vs. objectivity in life experiences.
Butler is recognized for his wit and sarcasm in the portrayal of Victorian norms.
The story's structure feels rambling, and some characterizations are critiqued as shallow.
The title references the inevitability of mortality as experienced by all people.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for The Way of All Flesh include themes of parental neglect, psychological trauma, religious scrutiny, and societal hypocrisy, reflecting the struggles faced by the protagonist.

From The Publisher:

A semi-autobiographical novel that attacks Victorian era hypocrisy as it traces four generations of the Pontifex family. Butler dared not publish it during his lifetime, but when it was published, it was accepted as part of the general revulsion against Victorianism.

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About the Author:

Samuel Butler, the freethinking Victorian whom George Bernard Shaw deemed 'the greatest English writer of the latter half of the nineteenth century,' was born on December 4, 1835, at Langar Rectory near Bingham, Nottinghamshire. The son of an Anglican clergyman,…

 
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