The Way of All Flesh

<p><strong>The Way of All Flesh</strong> by Samuel Butler is a semi-autobiographical novel that critiques Victorian family life religion and morality.</p><p>It follows four generations of the Pontifex family focusing mainly on Ernest Pontifex who struggles under the weight of rigid religious upbringing and oppressive parents. Raised to be a clergyman Ernest gradually rejects traditional beliefs and the hypocrisy of his family. Through missteps disillusionment and hardship-including disastrous relationships and poverty-he begins to form his own independent identity.</p><p>The novel both satirical and philosophical exposes the hypocrisy of Victorian respectability while emphasizing personal freedom self-discovery and the rejection of blind conformity </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p>