56 pages • 1 hour read
Samuel ButlerThe Way of All Flesh
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1903A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Way of All Flesh by Samuel Butler traces the life of Ernest Pontifex and several generations of his family as they navigate the transmission of Victorian values, focusing particularly on the roles of the church and family. Ernest struggles with the expectations placed upon him, leading to various personal and professional challenges that eventually result in his deviation from traditional religious paths. Triggering topics include physical punishment of children, wrongful imprisonment, and substance abuse.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Samuel Butler's The Way of All Flesh explores Victorian hypocrisy and family dynamics through vivid characterization and satirical prose. Critics laud its incisive social critique and compelling narrative. However, some find its pacing sluggish, and the didactic tone may not appeal to all readers. Overall, it's a profound and enduring literary work.
Who Should Read The Way of All Flesh?
A reader who enjoys The Way of All Flesh by Samuel Butler is typically interested in Victorian literature, social criticism, and family dynamics. Comparable to readers of Charles Dickens' Great Expectations and George Eliot's Middlemarch, they appreciate nuanced character development and a critical examination of 19th-century societal norms.