The False Gods

Lorimer, George Horace, 1869-1937Project Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

3.0

Word count: 94K words
Chapters: 10

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.The False Gods by George Horace LorimerAuthor: Lorimer, George Horace, 1869-1937,Language: English, Class: PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature, Release Date: Nov 6, 2005

Editor's review

The False Gods is a literary work by George Horace Lorimer, classified under American and Canadian literature. Lorimer was known chiefly as an editor and essayist, and his fiction tends to observe social manners and human weaknesses; the title itself suggests a scrutiny of idol worship and false beliefs. The work is short, its narrative pace rather traditional, and it serves as a sample for understanding late 19th- to early 20th-century American popular literature and the tradition of moral allegory. Its reading value lies in its period language and ways of moral judgment: readers can see how society of the time discussed success, faith, and character. It is not a plot-driven bestseller but rather a period text with a didactic bent. As a public-domain ebook, it is easily accessible and suitable for thematic reading or as supplementary reading in literary history; those expecting strong dramatic conflict or modern narrative techniques may find it flat.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in American literature of the late 19th and early 20th centuries
Literature students studying popular literature and the tradition of moral allegory
Readers who enjoy short or novella-length traditional narratives and can accept a didactic tone
Learners with good English reading ability who wish to broaden their reading of public-domain literature

Not a good fit for

Readers seeking strong plot, fast pace, or modern narrative techniques
Readers averse to moralizing narration who prefer neutral, objective storytelling
Beginners not yet proficient in English who find period language and allusions difficult

Reading tips

Read the opening and chapter titles first to identify the object of allegory, then read the whole text with questions in mind.
While reading, note the recurring image of the "idol" and trace the author's value judgments.
Compare with other contemporary American popular novels to observe similarities and differences in moral allegory.
If length permits, read it in one sitting to avoid losing the period context after interruption.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

What is the main theme of this book?

Judging from the title and literary category, the work revolves around "false gods" and carries an allegorical critique of social idols and false beliefs. It focuses more on human weaknesses and value judgments than on complex plot. Specific characters and events should be based on the original text; readers can enter the reading with the question "what is a false god?"

Is Lorimer a novelist?

George Horace Lorimer is known chiefly as an editor and essayist, and he also wrote literary works. This book falls under American and Canadian literature and reflects his observations of social manners. Readers should not expect narrative technique by the standard of a full-time novelist, but should attend to its period commentary.

Is it suitable for classroom discussion?

It can be used as supplementary material. The work is short with a clear theme, suitable for small-scale discussion of moral allegory, period values, and popular literary techniques. However, the public-domain electronic text lacks modern annotations, so teachers need to supply background materials themselves and remind students of the work's period limitations.

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About the author

Lorimer, George Horace, 1869-1937 Author

George Horace Lorimer (1869–1937) was an American editor and writer. Public information about his life is limited, so this note focuses on the works held in the collection. His best-known book, Letters from a Self-Made Merchant to His Son, takes the form of letters from an old merchant instructing his son as the young man enters business. Its tone is humorous and practical, blending worldly maxims with commercial experience, and it was well received in early twentieth-century America. The False Gods and Old Gorgon Graham treat similar themes, centering on business ethics, youthful growth, and lessons of life. His prose is concise and lively, making frequent use of aphorism and irony; speaking through the voice of an elder, he conveys values such as diligence, honesty, and self-reliance, and his work had some influence on the business inspirational literature of his time.