"The Squirrel-Cage" by Dorothy Canfield Fisher is a story set in the early 1900s that follows the Emery family, especially the youngest daughter, Lydia, after she comes back from a trip to Europe, ready to step into society. The story looks at wanting social status, figuring out who you are, and what goes on in families. At the beginning, the Emerys are proud of their home and place in society, which they got by working hard and wanting more. When Lydia gets back, her mom is super excited, but there's also pressure from society. Lydia feels nostalgic and finds it hard to fit her time in Europe with the more limited life in Endbury, which makes her question what society expects and what makes her happy. These first moments suggest there might be some trouble between Lydia's ideas about love and what her family thinks is important, which sets the scene for how she will grow and change in the story.
The Squirrel-Cage
By Dorothy Canfield Fisher
A young woman's return from Europe clashes with her family's ambitions, forcing her to question society and discover her true self.
Summary
About the AuthorDorothy Canfield Fisher was an educational reformer, social activist, and best-selling American author in the early 20th century. She strongly supported women's rights, racial equality, and lifelong education. Eleanor Roosevelt named her one of the ten most influential women in the United States. In addition to bringing the Montessori method of child-rearing to the U.S., she presided over the country's first adult education program and shaped literary tastes by serving as a member of the Book of the Month Club selection committee from 1925 to 1951.
Dorothy Canfield Fisher was an educational reformer, social activist, and best-selling American author in the early 20th century. She strongly supported women's rights, racial equality, and lifelong education. Eleanor Roosevelt named her one of the ten most influential women in the United States. In addition to bringing the Montessori method of child-rearing to the U.S., she presided over the country's first adult education program and shaped literary tastes by serving as a member of the Book of the Month Club selection committee from 1925 to 1951.
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