The Gilded Age by Mark Twain and Charles Dudley Warner offers a scathing satire of post-Civil War America, highlighting rampant greed and political corruption. Critics laud its rich humor and sharp social commentary, though some find its numerous subplots convoluted. Overall, it remains a compelling and insightful portrayal of the era.

An ideal reader for Twain and Warner's The Gilded Age is someone fascinated by satire, American history, and social critique. Fans of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald or Catch-22 by Joseph Heller will appreciate the novel's incisive commentary on political corruption and economic disparity in post-Civil War America.

The Gilded Age follows the intertwined lives of the Hawkins family and several other characters in post-Civil War America, focusing on their pursuit of wealth and the resulting moral and financial consequences. Silas Hawkins moves his family to Missouri, seeking fortune through land speculation and befriending the charismatic Beriah Sellers, while secondary characters, including Philip Sterling and Ruth Bolton, navigate personal and economic ambitions amidst pervasive societal corruption.

Nostalgic / Humorous / Informative / Mysterious / Bittersweet

Mark Twain

Charles Dudley Warner

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore The Gilded Age reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read The Gilded Age | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore The Gilded Age and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Gilded Age Summary and Study Guide

Background

The Gilded Age Background

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-11

The Gilded Age Chapters 1-11 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 12-23

The Gilded Age Chapters 12-23 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 24-37

The Gilded Age Chapters 24-37 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 38-51

The Gilded Age Chapters 38-51 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 52-63

The Gilded Age Chapters 52-63 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

The Gilded Age Character Analysis

theme

Themes

The Gilded Age Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The Gilded Age Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

The Gilded Age Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

The Gilded Age Essay Topics

The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Gilded Age?

Reading Age

Book Details