The Way of All Flesh

In "The Way of All Flesh," Samuel Butler presents a bold critique of Victorian domesticity through the life of Ernest Pontifex, exploring his struggles against the constraints of a highly religious family and society. Published posthumously in 1903, this novel is both a candid reflection of Butler's own upbringing and a subversive reimagining of the conventional family saga. With a sharp blend of irony and wit, Butler challenges the prevailing values of his time, cementing his status as a notable anti-Victorian voice as he captures the tension between tradition and emerging liberal ideals.