The Fatal Boots

"The Fatal Boots" by William Makepeace Thackeray is a funny exploration of a man named Bob Stubbs and his life, which is turned upside down by his strong want for a pair of fancy boots. Throughout the story, Stubbs runs into all sorts of troubles that point to the social classes of the time, what people wanted in life, and how silly society could be. At first, we learn about Bob's bad luck since he was born. He tells us about his childhood and comical financial deals with his friends at school. From the beginning, we see Bob as a likeable guy who wants to be seen as a gentleman, even though he doesn't have the money or the status. The book jokes about how he tries to reach his goals, showing how tough and silly it was to chase after what you wanted in a society with strict rules.