Name/Title
"Keeping Up with Lizzie"Entry/Object ID
1997.018.001Description
Book. "Keeping Up with Lizzie", by Irving Bacheller, clothbound with engraved illustrations, 7.125" x 5" x .875", inside front cover inscribed in black ink "Mary Bostwick Shellman from Miss Henderson Nov. 1911", inside back cover on end leaf inscribed in pencil "Carol", New York: Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1911.Context
Irving Bacheller's 1911 novel "Keeping Up with Lizzie" offers a satirical portrayal of early 20th-century American society, focusing on the fictional village of Pointview, Connecticut. The story follows Lizzie Henshaw, whose father's aspirations lead him to send her to an elite finishing school. Upon her return, Lizzie's newfound sophistication and lifestyle spark a wave of emulation among the townspeople, leading to widespread financial strain as they attempt to match her elevated social status. Through the observations of Socrates Potter, a local lawyer and philosopher, the novel critiques the perils of materialism and social climbing, highlighting how personal ambition can disrupt community harmony. Bacheller's narrative combines humor with social commentary, illustrating the consequences of prioritizing appearances over substance and the importance of authenticity in personal and communal life.Acquisition
Accession
1997.018Source or Donor
Brown, Charles H.Acquisition Method
GiftBook Details
Place Published
City
New YorkState/Province
NYCountry
U.S.A.
