"The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table" by Oliver Wendell Holmes is a collection of witty and thought-provoking essays framed as breakfast-table conversations. It is a journey through the minds of fascinating characters in a mid-19th-century boarding house. The primary storyteller, possibly Holmes himself, explores the depths of human behavior, societal norms, and the art of lively exchange. The opening scenes introduce a colorful cast of boarders, like a divinity student and an old gentleman, whose personalities clash and intertwine in humorous ways. These interactions, along with entertaining musings around intellectual cliques and social perceptions of talent, set the stage for a unique blend of humor, philosophy, and astute social commentary.
The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table
By Oliver Wendell Holmes
Engage in lively discussions within the walls of a boarding house, where sharp wit and philosophical meanderings expose the intricacies of human nature.
Summary
About the AuthorOliver Wendell Holmes Sr. was an American physician, poet, and polymath based in Boston. Grouped among the fireside poets, he was acclaimed by his peers as one of the best writers of the day. His most famous prose works are the "Breakfast-Table" series, which began with The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table (1858). He was also an important medical reformer. In addition to his work as an author and poet, Holmes also served as a physician, professor, lecturer, inventor, and, although he never practiced it, he received formal training in law.
Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. was an American physician, poet, and polymath based in Boston. Grouped among the fireside poets, he was acclaimed by his peers as one of the best writers of the day. His most famous prose works are the "Breakfast-Table" series, which began with The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table (1858). He was also an important medical reformer. In addition to his work as an author and poet, Holmes also served as a physician, professor, lecturer, inventor, and, although he never practiced it, he received formal training in law.
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