More Fables (ePub)

George Ade (1866-1944) was an American writer, newspaper columnist, and playwright, recognized for his satirical wit and insightful portrayal of the American way of life at the turn of the 20th century. Ade's literary career blossomed with his engagement at the Chicago Record, where his column, 'Stories of the Streets and of the Town,' showcased his keen observation of urban life and character studies drawn from the bustling Chicago scene. His fables, however, secured his legacy. In 'More Fables' (1900), Ade employs a humorous, moralistic style, reminiscent of Aesop's, but distinctly modernized to address the social and political issues of his day. Each fable in this collection ends with a pithy moral, encapsulating the human foibles, societal norms, and cultural idiosyncrasies of early 20th-century America. Ade's work often skewered the pretensions of the high society and the absurdities of bureaucracies, earning him a place as a preeminent social critic of his time. Garnering popularity through his light-hearted but sharp essays, Ade belongs to the Progressive Era of writers who lifted the veil on the American Dream to reveal its complexities and contradictories. His literary style, embodying a blend of dialogue-rich narrative with colloquial charm, made his satire not only incisive but also accessible to a wide readership. Throughout his career, Ade published several books that chronicle the humors and pitfalls of everyday life, contributing to the American literary canon as both a humorist and a realist.