"The Descent of Man and Other Stories" by Edith Wharton is a compilation of short stories set in the late 1800s that uses the experiences of Professor Linyard—a biologist energized by new ideas after a Maine woods vacation—to investigate norms, personal connections, and the clash between science and common misunderstandings. When Professor Linyard gets back from vacation, his life is complex between his caring family and exciting ideas. After returning, he thinks about making fun of popular science books, and his intellectual path clashes with what society expects. He must balance his home life and creative goals as he gets ready to publish. His concept blends comedy with sharp social criticism, showcasing Wharton's skill with irony and social views.
The Descent of Man and Other Stories
By Edith Wharton
A biologist's exciting new ideas clash with the expectations of family and society, leading to a humorous and critical exploration of the world around him.
Summary
About the AuthorEdith Newbold Wharton was an American writer and designer. Wharton drew upon her insider's knowledge of the upper-class New York "aristocracy" to portray, realistically, the lives and morals of the Gilded Age. In 1921, she became the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction, for her novel, The Age of Innocence. She was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame, in 1996. Her other well-known works are The House of Mirth, the novella Ethan Frome, and several notable ghost stories.
Edith Newbold Wharton was an American writer and designer. Wharton drew upon her insider's knowledge of the upper-class New York "aristocracy" to portray, realistically, the lives and morals of the Gilded Age. In 1921, she became the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction, for her novel, The Age of Innocence. She was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame, in 1996. Her other well-known works are The House of Mirth, the novella Ethan Frome, and several notable ghost stories.
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