Night and Morning, Volume 1

"Night and Morning, Volume 1" by Edward Bulwer Lytton explores morality and social class in 19th-century England, through the lives of Reverend Caleb Price and Philip Beaufort. The story begins in a quiet village, introducing Reverend Price who now lives a humble life marked by his love for fishing, a far cry from days when he lived with privilege. He meets Philip Beaufort, a man with big dreams but now down on his luck; the two find common ground in their histories and ambitions. Beaufort reveals his secret plan: he intends to marry a tradesman's daughter, exposing a hidden love affair amidst societal expectations. As the characters' lives become more intertwined, the author emphasizes the personal and moral challenges they must face as they pursue ambition amidst society's restrictions.