The Way of All Flesh

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1903

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Before You Read

Summary

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-19

Chapters 20-37

Chapters 38-53

Chapters 54-69

Chapters 70-86

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

Discussion Questions

Essay Topics

Overton notes a few parallels between the life of Jesus Christ as depicted in the Bible and Ernest’s experiences. Should Ernest be considered a Christ figure, even ironically? Why or why not?

The Way of All Flesh is considered semi-autobiographical, as Butler drew on his own experiences to imagine Ernest’s story. Find a biographical entry or life sketch of Butler, then compare his story with Ernest’s. What are the similarities and differences, and why might Butler have made the changes that he did?

What is the central conflict of The Way of All Flesh, and how is it resolved?