First harvests : $b An episode in the life of Mrs. Levison Gower : A satire without a moral

"First Harvests: An Episode in the Life of Mrs. Levison Gower" by Frederic Jesup Stimson is a satirical commentary on American society in the late 1800s, following the life of Mrs. Levison Gower and her social ambitions during a transformative era. The narrative, viewed through the lens of Flossie Starbuck, explores topics like wealth, class, and the pursuit of high society. The story begins in a grand New York City brownstone, a symbol of wealth and status, and contrasts the lives of high society with those of the nearby working class. Flossie's reflections on her past and her yearning for a better social position drive the story forward, revealing the complex relationship between money and identity. As she navigates her aspirations and societal pressures, the novel satirizes the era's values and the struggles of those seeking to climb the social ladder.