With the Procession: Exploring societal complexities and personal freedom in late 19th century Chicago

by Henry Blake Fuller

In "With the Procession," Henry Blake Fuller delves into the complexities of early 20th-century American society, weaving a narrative that explores themes of identity, social conformity, and the pursuit of the American Dream. Set against the backdrop of Chicago's burgeoning landscape, Fuller employs a distinctive literary style characterized by rich symbolism and introspective character studies. The novel's structure reflects the fragmented nature of modern life during this era, revealing the inner struggles of individuals caught at the intersection of tradition and modernity. Fuller's nuanced prose invites readers to examine the moral dilemmas faced by his characters, ultimately questioning what it means to belong in an ever-evolving society. Henry Blake Fuller, a prominent figure in the Chicago literary scene, utilized his experiences as a merchant, journalist, and novelist to inform his storytelling. Growing up in a rapidly industrializing city allowed Fuller to witness firsthand the societal transformations that ensued, deeply influencing his artistic perspective and thematic choices. His dedication to the realism movement positioned him as a sharp observer of human behavior and societal norms, evident in the intricate portrayals within "With the Procession." This novel is highly recommended for readers who seek a profound exploration of the human condition set against a rich historical tapestry. Fuller's engaging narrative style and keen social commentary offer invaluable insights into the quest for personal authenticity and social acceptance. In today'Äôs world, where issues of conformity and identity remain central, "With the Procession" stands as a timeless reflection on the complexities of belonging in a rapidly changing society.

Genres: Fiction

138 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1894

About the author

Henry Blake Fuller (January 9, 1857–July 28, 1929) was a United States novelist and short story writer, born in Chicago, Illinois.

Fuller's earliest works were travel romances set in Italy that featured allegorical characters. Both The Chevalier of Pensieri–Vani (1890) and The Châtelaine of La Trinité (1892) bear some thematic resemblance to the works of Henry James, whose primary interest was in the contrast between American and European ways of life. Fuller's first two books appealed to the genteel tastes of cultivated New Englanders such as Charles Eliot Norton and James Russell Lowell, who took Fuller's work as a promising sign of a burgeoning literary culture in what was then still largely the frontier city of Chicago.

Reviews

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this little book primarily because it fit the needs of a reading challenge that I'm participating in, but I'm glad to have stumbled upon it. The book traces the efforts of the family of David Marshall to maintain their position in elite Chicago society as Chicago becomes a modern and industrial city in the 1890s.

The description of the characters losing their integrity as they try to find a place in the shifting social fashions of the day felt surprisingly fresh and contemporary. Reading about the second son dropping out of college to be a general layabout, flitting through Europe and back again isn't much different than the stories of some of my college classmates who had the family funding to support efforts to "find themselves" through extended periods of unemployment. Meanwhile, the older son becomes a lawyer and doggedly pursues increased prominence and wealth. Again, I saw the modern counterparts perfectly clearly in these century-old depictions.

I'm glad to have stumbled upon this one. I'd never heard of this author or this book before calling it up from the state library system.

[Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This seemed like it was supposed to be a sweeping allegory about an ill-fated patriarch, an American businessman in the early industrial days of Chicago, who builds and then loses his business. His children, representing I suppose the new generation of Americans, are to different degrees ungrateful and immoral, and become snobs. I guess the less snobby daughter, Jane, was supposed to be a kind of protagonist and redeeming figure, but she wasn't much better or more interesting that the others. In the narration, it is said multiple times that Jane is really the driving force in the action and the person who holds the family together, but I didn't see that this was the case at all. If there was supposed to be irony or humor in this or other discrepancies, I didn't get it. When there was disparity between thought and action, it just seemed like the result of sloppy characterization and inconsistent writing.

[Elizabeth Lund · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this because of the Chicago setting. The middlebrow social scene and the author's amused attitude towards his characters are faintly reminiscent of Jane Austen. I think the author meant to criticize the "procession"; in the end, I thought the change in the family was not necessarily for the worse.