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.
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