The Philistines

Bates, Arlo, 1850-1918Project Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

2.9

Word count: 547K words
Chapters: 55

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 Philistines by Arlo Bates. Author: Bates, Arlo, 1850-1918. Language: English. Class: PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature. Release Date: Jul 1, 2005

Editor's review

The Philistines is a novel by Arlo Bates, part of late-19th-century American realist-leaning fiction. Judging from the author's era and the image of the "philistine" suggested by the title, the work generally centers on social custom, cultural taste, and characters' circumstances, with an observational and satirical edge toward a particular social group. As a public-domain ebook, its value lies more in showing how American fiction of the time wrote about social manners and character psychology; it suits readers interested in late-19th-century American literature and culture as supplementary reading. The narrative pace and language habits are distant from contemporary fiction, requiring patience and contextual imagination. Those expecting strong dramatic conflict or a contemporary rhythm may find the experience less smooth.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers studying 19th-century American fiction and social manners
Readers who like realist-leaning works with social satire
Literature lovers seeking to broaden their reading of public-domain American literature
Readers who accept old-fashioned narrative pace and are willing to read English originals slowly

Not a good fit for

Readers of popular fiction who want fast pace and strong suspense
Beginner readers unused to 19th-century English expression
Those who only want contemporary works and lack interest in old works' background

Reading tips

Learn about late-19th-century American social and cultural background before entering the character relationships.
Note the metaphor of "Philistines" in the title and observe how the author shapes the group image.
Proceed chapter by chapter and keep track of character relationships to avoid losing the thread in old-fashioned narration.
After finishing, compare with contemporary American novels to see similarities and differences in satirical technique.

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 does the title "The Philistines" refer to?

The term is often used for "philistine" figures who prize material things and lack cultural cultivation. Given the novel's period, the title likely has a satirical point toward a social group and its manners; the specific meaning needs to be felt through the characters and plot.

Is this novel suitable as an introduction to American literature?

It is not the easiest entry choice. It suits readers who already have some contact with 19th-century American fiction and accept old-fashioned narrative pace; those new to the period might start with better-known works.

What should I note when reading this public-domain ebook?

The material indicates an English public-domain ebook; formatting and notes vary by edition. Keep a dictionary at hand, pay attention to character relationships and social background, and do not rush to read it through—proceed chapter by chapter.

Comments

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About the author

Bates, Arlo, 1850-1918 Author

Arlo Bates (1850–1918) was an American author and teacher of literature. Thirteen of his works are held in this Chinese-language book collection, commonly grouped under inspirational and personal growth. Public information about him is limited, and details of his life are difficult to verify, yet his works reveal his main directions. On the one hand he wrote on writing and literary education, including Talks on Writing English (First Series), Talks on Teaching Literature and Talks on the Study of Literature, which discuss methods of writing and approaches to literary study in plain, well-organized prose with the friendly tone of classroom talks. On the other hand he wrote fiction and stories, such as The Puritans, Patty's Perversities, A Book o' Nine Tales, The Intoxicated Ghost, and Other Stories and The Pagans, dealing with social manners and everyday human relations in a style mixing humor and satire. Overall, he combined the roles of teacher and writer, and his works, practical in guidance and readable in narrative, offer some value for learning English writing and understanding the literary tastes of his time.