Orphaned at an early age, raised by his aunt and uncle, and apprenticed for seven years to a draper, Artie Kipps is stunned to discover upon reading a newspaper advertisement that he is the grandson of a wealthy gentleman - and the inheritor of his fortune. Thrown dramatically into the upper classes, he struggles desperately to learn the etiquette and rules of polite society.
Kipps: The Story of a Simple Soul is a novel by H.G. Wells, first published in 1905. The story follows Arthur Kipps, a young man of modest means who unexpectedly inherits a fortune from a deceased uncle. The novel explores his journey as he navigates the complexities of wealth, social status, and personal identity.
Initially, Kipps is a simple, good-natured shop assistant living in a working-class environment. However, upon receiving his inheritance, he enters the world of the upper class, experiencing both the allure and the absurdity of high society. As he attempts to adapt to his new lifestyle, he grapples with the challenges of maintaining his authenticity and the pressure to conform to social expectations.
The novel is rich with themes of class struggle, self-discovery, and the impact of wealth on personal relationships. Through Kipps's experiences, Wells critiques the rigid class structure of Edwardian England and examines the idea that money does not necessarily bring happiness or fulfillment.
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Categories: Fiction Historical Fiction Literature