The Potiphar Papers

The Potiphar Papers by George William Curtis is a sharp social satire that dissects the opulent yet morally hollow lives of New York's upper class during the Gilded Age. The book presents a vivid critique of the materialism vanity and hypocrisy that permeate this elite society. Through a series of essays and vignettes Curtis humorously exposes the superficiality of social customs the obsession with fashion and the empty pursuit of wealth. Set against the backdrop of 19th-century urban life the narrative highlights the moral decay hidden beneath the glittering facade of the upper class. Marriage is portrayed as another social transaction rather than a genuine union reflecting the broader societal emphasis on status over substance. Curtis's work serves as a cultural criticism urging readers to look beyond the surface and question the values that define their lives in an increasingly materialistic America.