The Way of All Flesh

"The Way of All Flesh" by Samuel Butler is a novel written during the late 19th century. The story primarily revolves around the Pontifex family, exploring themes of heredity and the complexities of familial relationships in a Victorian context. The narrative begins with an exploration of Mr. Pontifex's life, highlighting the dynamics within the family, particularly the contrasting personalities between the generations. The opening of the novel introduces the elderly carpenter Mr. Pontifex, revealing his life and character through the eyes of a young narrator who reflects on his memories of the old man and his wife, as well as their somewhat unconventional marriage. This sets the stage for the exploration of their son George Pontifex, who is influenced by his birth and upbringing, leading to significant personal and professional aspirations. The relationship between George and his parents emerges as a central theme, foreshadowing the subsequent struggles and developments in the lives of his children. The beginning hints at broader societal critiques, particularly on themes of class, wealth, and expectations, which Butler intricately weaves throughout the rest of the novel. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Samuel Butler was an English novelist and critic, best known for the satirical utopian novel Erewhon (1872) and the semi-autobiographical novel The Way of All Flesh. Both novels have remained in print since their initial publication. In other studies he examined Christian orthodoxy, evolutionary thought, and Italian art, and made prose translations of the Iliad and Odyssey that are still consulted.