The Rise of Silas Lapham (Magill’s Survey of American Literature, Revised Edition)
At a glance:
- Author: William Dean Howells
- First Published: 1885
- Type of Work: Novel
- Genres: Long fiction, Domestic realism
- Subjects: Family or family life, Love or romance, Nineteenth century, New England, Honesty, Bankruptcy or financial crisis, Ethics, Business or business people, Fire, Debtors or creditors
- Locales: Boston, MA, New England
In The Rise of Silas Lapham, which is set in Boston, Howells tells of the collapse and fall of the financial empire of rustic Vermont entrepreneur Silas Lapham. The title is ironic, for the “rise” with which Howells is primarily concerned is Lapham's moral resurrection. This rise takes place when Lapham's business fails as a result of his decision to abandon the elastic and self-serving business codes which have been instrumental in his financial rise.
There are, in effect, two plots developing simultaneously in The Rise of Silas Lapham. In addition to the main...
[The entire page is 825 words long]
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