Wise Saws and Modern Instances, Volume 1 (of 2)

"Wise Saws and Modern Instances, Volume 1 (of 2)" by Thomas Cooper is a collection of stories from mid-19th century England that focuses on the lives of everyday people as they grapple with changes in society and moral dilemmas. Centered around characters mainly from villages, the narratives explore big ideas such as fairness and social class divisions by showing the difficulties they face. One notable character of the series, Kucky Sarson, a talkative barber, passionately debates equality with people in his shop. The story uses his interactions to reveal both the strength and weakness in his principles, setting the stage for an in-depth look at the challenges individuals face when standing up for what they believe in a quickly changing world.