Is Polite Society Polite? and Other Essays

"Is Polite Society Polite? and Other Essays" by Julia Ward Howe is a collection of writings from the late 1800s that asks us to think about how we treat each other. The author looks closely at what people consider "polite" behavior and finds that it often falls short. Through her own life stories and thoughts, Howe points out the problems with shallow interactions and pushes for a more honest and caring way of connecting with those around us. The first essay sets the tone by looking at city life, where the desire for success can cause people to forget genuine kindness. She says that true politeness comes from being sincere, and she speaks against things like fake praise and negative gossip. Howe shares lessons she's learned about being a good person in society, emphasizing that we must be honest and responsible in how we relate to others. This sets the stage for a bigger conversation about how to truly live up to the ideals of polite society, even when the world around us doesn't always make it easy.