Seldwyla Folks: Three Singular Tales

"Seldwyla Folks: Three Singular Tales" by Gottfried Keller is a set of stories from the 1800s, illustrating the narrative gifts of the author with developed characters. In the imaginary town of Seldwyla, the lives of the people are put on display to show their strange habits and humorous differences in human nature. The stories mix humor, social observation, and irony into the daily routines of a strange but somewhat inactive society. The start of the collection shares the story of three combmakers who, in spite of their honorable traits, get caught in a silent rivalry for their jobs and the love of Zues Buenzlin, a local woman. Each combmaker is presented with quirks that define how they act and what they want out of life, mirroring themes of money matters, competitiveness, and what society wants. The story prepares for the entangled lives of these men as they handle pride, envy, love, and self-esteem in a strict society. As things get tense, the connections of their lives highlight Keller’s awareness of people, stressing the weird things that happen while chasing affection and value in a tough social setting.