Narrative Summary of More Fables

Overview:

I’m taking you on a journey through George Ade’s “More Fables,” a collection of satirical short stories that poke fun at everyday life and the absurdity of human behavior. Each fable is a little parable, like a modern-day Aesop’s tale, with a humorous twist. We’ll meet characters like Uncle Brewster, the incorrigibly shifty, and Lutie, the aspiring opera singer with a less-than-stellar voice. Through these stories, Ade unveils the ironies of love, ambition, and social climbing, giving us a glimpse into the world of early 20th-century America.

Main Parts:

The Fable of How Uncle Brewster was Too Shifty for the Tempter: A country bumpkin named Uncle Brewster visits the big city, but his attempts to have a good time are constantly thwarted by his own shifty nature and the city’s tricks. This fable highlights the innocence of rural folks and the dangers of temptation in urban environments.
The Fable of the Grass Widow and the Mesmeree and the Six Dollars: A charming but cunning Grass Widow uses her seductive wiles to swindle a trusting businessman. This fable exposes the dangers of manipulation and the vulnerability of those who are easily swayed.
The Fable of the Honest Money-Maker and the Partner of His Joys, Such as They Were: This fable tells the sad story of a hardworking farmer who prioritizes his wealth over his wife’s well-being. It paints a picture of the harsh realities of rural life and the importance of compassion in relationships.
The Fable of Why Sweetie Flew the Track: A husband and wife, despite their constant bickering, maintain a facade of love in public. The husband tries to win his wife back with lavish gifts and attention, but she suspects his motives and ultimately flees the relationship. This fable explores the difficulties of maintaining a genuine relationship in the face of mistrust and suspicion.
The Fable of the Ex-Chattel and the Awful Swat That Was Waiting for the Colonel: A Southern Colonel, who still clings to pre-Civil War social norms, is humbled by a Black waiter at a Northern hotel. This fable satirizes the outdated prejudices of the time and highlights the changing racial dynamics in America.
The Fable of the Corporation Director and the Mislaid Ambition: A young man with political aspirations finds himself seduced by wealth and success, ultimately losing sight of his original goals. This fable warns against the pitfalls of ambition and the temptations of material wealth.
The Fable of What Happened the Night the Men Came to the Women’s Club: The women of a local literary club host a special event for the men, only to find that they are more interested in Josephine, the “life-saver,” than the club’s intellectual pursuits. This fable exposes the hypocrisy of social circles and the often-unrealistic nature of “culture clubs.”
The Fable of Why Essie’s Tall Friend Got the Fresh Air: A dapper young man, obsessed with his love life and social engagements, gets fired from his job at a furnishing store. This fable criticizes the frivolous nature of some young men and emphasizes the importance of focusing on work.
The Fable of the Michigan Counterfeit Who Wasn’t One Thing or the Other: An American traveler, whose family has been trying to embrace their English heritage, struggles to define his own identity. This fable satirizes the pressures of societal expectations and the complexities of belonging.
The Fable of the Adult Girl Who Got Busy Before They Could Ring the Bell on Her: Clara, a thirty-year-old woman who is considered “on the shelf,” cleverly manipulates a wealthy suitor into proposing. This fable subverts the expectations surrounding marriage and women’s roles in society.
The Fable of the Man-Grabber Who Went Out of His Class: A shrewd city businessman takes advantage of a naive country gentleman, exposing the gullibility of those who are not familiar with urban trickery.
The Fable of the Inveterate Joker Who Remained in Montana: A man known for his practical jokes finds himself on the receiving end of brutal retribution in Montana. This fable reminds us of the dangers of pushing humor too far and being insensitive to the feelings of others.
The Fable of the Cruel Insult and the Arrival of the Lover from No. 6: An advance agent for a traveling theater troupe mocks a waitress, only to be confronted by her powerful railroad fireman boyfriend. This fable explores the dynamics of power and class in a humorous and unexpected way.
The Fable of the Lodge Fiend and the Delilah Trick Played by His Wife: A man obsessed with joining and participating in various fraternal organizations is exposed by his wife who discovers his lodge secrets through a sleep-inducing trick. This fable satirizes the rituals and absurdity of fraternal societies.
The Fable of the Apprehensive Sparrow and Her Daily Escape: Madge, a young woman plagued by exaggerated fears of being accosted by men, constantly escapes imaginary threats. This fable mocks the exaggerated anxieties of women and their tendency to overreact.
The Fable of the Regular Customer and the Copper-Lined Entertainer: A Country Customer is taken on a wild night of extravagant entertainment by a company employee known as the “Human Expense Account.” This fable explores the differences in lifestyle and social norms between urban and rural areas.
The Fable of Lutie, the False Alarm, and How She Finished About the Time That She Started: Lutie, an aspiring opera singer with a mediocre voice, learns a hard lesson about the harsh realities of pursuing a career in the arts. This fable highlights the pitfalls of inflated ambitions and the importance of reality checks.
The Fable of the Cotillon Leader from the Huckleberry District with the Intermittent Memory: A social climber, who has forgotten his humble beginnings, struggles to recognize his former friends. This fable exposes the superficiality of social climbing and the importance of humility.
The Fable of the He-Gossip and the Man’s Wife and the Man: A self-righteous busybody named Cyrenius Bizzy tries to expose a neighbor’s “immoral” behavior, but is ultimately outsmarted by the wife and the husband who retaliates with a physical attack. This fable satirizes the dangers of gossip and the futility of trying to control other people’s lives.
The Fable of the Author Who Was Sorry for What He Did to Willie: An author, who inadvertently creates a sentimental poem about a fictional boy named Willie, finds himself overwhelmed by the popularity of his work and its subsequent commercialization. This fable explores the irony of artistic success and the unintended consequences of creating sentimental works.

View on Life:

Ade’s view on life is satirical, offering a humorous critique of society’s conventions and the often-absurd nature of human behavior. He exposes the hypocrisy of social climbing, the flaws in romantic relationships, the pitfalls of ambition, and the dangers of gossip. He celebrates those who can laugh at themselves and those who find humor in the complexities of life.

Scenarios:

A country bumpkin visits the big city and experiences the perils of temptation and deception.
A charming widow uses her wiles to swindle a businessman.
A hard-working farmer prioritizes wealth over his wife’s well-being.
A husband and wife maintain a facade of love while harboring resentment and suspicion.
A Southern Colonel is humiliated by a Black waiter at a Northern hotel.
A young man with political aspirations loses himself in wealth and success.
The women of a local literary club host an event for men, who are more interested in frivolity than intellectual pursuits.
A dapper young man loses his job because of his obsession with his love life and social engagements.
An American traveler struggles to define his identity amidst conflicting cultural influences.
A thirty-year-old woman uses clever tactics to secure a proposal from a wealthy suitor.
A shrewd city businessman takes advantage of a naive country gentleman.
A man known for his practical jokes finds himself on the receiving end of brutal retribution.
An advance agent for a traveling theater troupe mocks a waitress, only to be confronted by her powerful railroad fireman boyfriend.
A man obsessed with joining fraternal organizations is exposed by his wife who discovers his lodge secrets.
A young woman plagued by exaggerated fears of being accosted by men constantly escapes imaginary threats.
A Country Customer is taken on a wild night of extravagant entertainment by a company employee.
An aspiring opera singer with a mediocre voice learns a hard lesson about the harsh realities of pursuing a career in the arts.
A social climber, who has forgotten his humble beginnings, struggles to recognize his former friends.
A self-righteous busybody tries to expose a neighbor’s “immoral” behavior, but is ultimately outsmarted by the wife and the husband.
An author, who inadvertently creates a sentimental poem, finds himself overwhelmed by the popularity of his work.

Challenges:

Uncle Brewster faces the challenge of resisting temptation in the big city.
The Grass Widow faces the challenge of maintaining her facade of innocence while deceiving others.
The farmer’s wife faces the challenge of enduring her husband’s neglect and lack of support.
The husband and wife in “Sweetie Flew the Track” face the challenge of overcoming mistrust and suspicion in their relationship.
The Colonel faces the challenge of adapting to the changing social landscape of a post-Civil War America.
The Corporation Director faces the challenge of staying true to his original ambitions amidst the temptations of wealth.
Josephine faces the challenge of being accepted by the women of the literary club despite their disapproval.
Bert faces the challenge of balancing his work with his desire for social engagement.
The Michigan Counterfeit faces the challenge of reconciling his American upbringing with his desire to embrace his English heritage.
Clara faces the challenge of attracting the attention of a wealthy suitor while competing with other women.
The Man-Grabber faces the challenge of conning a naive country gentleman.
The Inveterate Joker faces the challenge of understanding the consequences of his actions.
The Sensitive Waitress faces the challenge of navigating a power imbalance in her relationship.
The Joiner’s wife faces the challenge of understanding her husband’s obsession with fraternal organizations.
Madge faces the challenge of overcoming her exaggerated fears of being accosted by men.
Jim faces the challenge of navigating the unfamiliar and extravagant world of urban entertainment.
Lutie faces the challenge of dealing with the disappointment of her failed singing career.
The Cotillon Leader faces the challenge of remembering his past when his social status changes.
Cyrenius Bizzy faces the challenge of trying to control other people’s lives.
The author faces the challenge of dealing with the unexpected success and commercialization of his sentimental poem.

Conflict:

Uncle Brewster’s own shifty nature creates conflict with those around him, leading to his inability to enjoy himself in the city.
The Grass Widow’s deceitful nature creates conflict with the businessman she manipulates.
The farmer’s neglectful behavior creates conflict in his marriage, ultimately leading to his wife’s demise.
The husband and wife in “Sweetie Flew the Track” struggle with the conflict caused by their mistrust and suspicion.
The Colonel’s outdated prejudices create conflict with the Black waiter at the hotel, leading to his arrest.
The Corporation Director’s pursuit of wealth creates conflict with his original ambitions, ultimately leading to his disillusionment.
Josephine’s defiance of the club’s expectations creates conflict with the other women, leading to her expulsion.
Bert’s preoccupation with social engagements creates conflict with his employer, leading to his termination.
The Michigan Counterfeit struggles with the conflict between his American identity and his desire to embrace his English heritage.
Clara’s efforts to secure a proposal create conflict with the other women vying for the same man.
The Man-Grabber’s deceitful tactics create conflict with the naive country gentleman.
The Inveterate Joker’s actions create conflict with the locals in Montana, leading to his punishment.
The Sensitive Waitress’s pride and defiance create conflict with her boyfriend.
The Joiner’s obsession with fraternal organizations creates conflict with his wife.
Madge’s exaggerated fears create conflict with those around her.
Jim’s lack of experience in the urban world creates conflict with his extravagant entertainment.
Lutie’s mediocre voice and inflated ambitions create conflict with her dreams of a singing career.
The Cotillon Leader’s selective memory creates conflict with his former friends.
Cyrenius Bizzy’s nosiness and interference create conflict with his neighbors.
The author’s accidental success with a sentimental poem creates conflict with his desire for literary recognition.

Plot:

Each fable tells a distinct story, often focusing on a single character and their interactions with others. The plots are generally simple, using humor and satire to highlight the irony and absurdity of the situations.
For example, in “Uncle Brewster,” the plot follows the country bumpkin’s attempts to enjoy himself in the city, which are constantly thwarted by his own shifty nature. In “The Grass Widow,” the plot centers on the widow’s skillful manipulation of a businessman.

Point of View:

The stories are written from a third-person omniscient perspective, allowing the author to provide insights into the thoughts and motivations of the characters.
This perspective provides a humorous and satirical tone, often highlighting the characters’ flaws and misjudgments.

How It’s Written:

Ade’s writing is characterized by a conversational tone and a humorous, often satirical, approach to the subject matter.
He uses vivid language and descriptive details to bring his characters and situations to life. For example, in “The Fable of the Honest Money-Maker,” Ade describes the farmer’s wife as “thin as a rail and humped over in the shoulders,” highlighting her physical toll from years of hard work and neglect.

Tone:

The tone of “More Fables” is generally light-hearted and humorous, with a satirical edge. Ade uses wit and exaggeration to expose the absurdity of human behavior and the ironies of societal conventions.

Life Choices:

Characters in “More Fables” often make choices that are driven by their desires, ambitions, or social pressures.
For example, Uncle Brewster chooses to visit the big city, despite his own shifty nature, hoping to experience the excitement and glamour of urban life. Clara chooses to remain in town during the summer, knowing that it will give her a better opportunity to attract the attention of a wealthy suitor.

Lessons:

“More Fables” offers a range of lessons about life and human nature.
Some of the most important lessons include the dangers of temptation, the importance of honesty and integrity, the pitfalls of ambition, the need for humility, the futility of gossip, and the value of laughter in the face of life’s absurdities.

Characters:

Uncle Brewster: A country bumpkin who is easily tempted and deceived.
The Grass Widow: A cunning and seductive woman who uses her wiles to manipulate others.
The Honest Money-Maker: A hardworking but neglectful farmer who prioritizes wealth over his wife’s well-being.
Sweetie: A wife who is suspicious of her husband’s motives and ultimately flees their relationship.
The Colonel: A Southern gentleman who clings to outdated social norms and prejudices.
The Corporation Director: A young man who loses sight of his original ambitions in pursuit of wealth and success.
Josephine Beadle: A woman who defies the expectations of the literary club and finds herself more popular with the men than the women.
Bert: A dapper young man who is more interested in his love life and social engagements than his work.
The Michigan Counterfeit: An American traveler who struggles to reconcile his American upbringing with his desire to embrace his English heritage.
Clara: A thirty-year-old woman who cleverly manipulates a wealthy suitor into proposing.
The Man-Grabber: A shrewd city businessman who takes advantage of a naive country gentleman.
The Inveterate Joker: A man whose practical jokes ultimately land him in trouble.
The Sensitive Waitress: A waitress who is mocked by an advance agent but ultimately supported by her boyfriend.
The Joiner: A man who is obsessed with joining and participating in various fraternal organizations.
Madge: A young woman who is plagued by exaggerated fears of being accosted by men.
Jim: A Country Customer who is taken on a wild night of extravagant entertainment.
Lutie: An aspiring opera singer with a mediocre voice.
The Cotillon Leader: A social climber who has forgotten his humble beginnings.
Cyrenius Bizzy: A self-righteous busybody who tries to control other people’s lives.
The Author: An author who accidentally creates a sentimental poem that becomes unexpectedly popular.

Themes:

Societal Expectations: Ade’s fables explore the pressure to conform to societal norms and the consequences of deviating from those expectations.
Love and Relationships: Many of the fables examine the complexities of love and marriage, exposing the challenges of trust, communication, and maintaining genuine relationships.
Ambition and Success: The fables offer a satirical critique of the pursuit of success, highlighting the dangers of losing oneself in wealth and ambition.
Social Climbing and Hypocrisy: Ade exposes the hypocrisy of social circles and the superficiality of those who strive for status and recognition.
The Ironies of Life: The fables celebrate the humor and irony found in everyday life, reminding us that the unexpected can happen at any moment.

Principles:

Humility: Ade’s fables often suggest that humility is essential for navigating social interactions and maintaining healthy relationships.
Honesty and Integrity: The characters who are most successful in Ade’s fables are those who are honest with themselves and others.
Humor and Laughter: Ade’s fables highlight the importance of laughter in the face of life’s absurdities and the value of finding humor in the complexities of human behavior.

Intentions of the Characters:

The characters in “More Fables” are often driven by self-interest, ambition, or a desire for recognition and acceptance.
Their intentions can be both positive and negative, with some striving for love and happiness while others are motivated by greed, deceit, or a desire to control others.

Unique Vocabulary:

Ade uses a variety of words and phrases that are characteristic of early 20th-century American vernacular.
Some of these words, like “shifty,” “groggy,” “Leary,” “het up,” “roached up,” “Fuzzy,” “Brazen,” and “Punk,” are no longer common in modern English but offer a glimpse into the language of the time.

Anecdotes:

Each fable includes a story or anecdote that is used to illustrate the larger point of the fable.
For example, in “The Fable of How Uncle Brewster Was Too Shifty for the Tempter,” the anecdote of Uncle Brewster’s unsuccessful attempts to enjoy himself in the city highlights his own shifty nature and the dangers of temptation.

Ideas:

The fables put forth ideas about human nature, societal expectations, and the complexities of life.
For example, “The Fable of the Grass Widow” suggests that people can be easily deceived by those who are charming and cunning. “The Fable of the Corporation Director” highlights the dangers of allowing ambition to overshadow other important values.

Facts and Findings:

Ade’s fables do not include specific facts or findings but rather present a humorous commentary on the realities of human behavior and societal expectations.

Statistics:

No specific statistics are cited in “More Fables.”

Points of View:

The text is written from a third-person omniscient point of view, offering a broad perspective on the characters and situations.
This point of view allows Ade to satirize the characters’ foibles and misjudgments while simultaneously providing insight into their motivations.

Perspective:

The fables offer a humorous and satirical perspective on life and human nature, reminding us to laugh at the absurdities of everyday life and recognize the flaws that we all share.

Learn more