Mortal Coils

Historical Context and Significance

The collection Mortal Coils by Aldous Huxley, published in 1922, marks an important phase in the author's literary career, showcasing his early style and themes that would later be developed in his more famous works. Including five stories such as «The Gioconda Smile» and «Nuns at Luncheon», the book explores themes of human nature, morality, and social conventions with Huxley's characteristic sarcasm and irony. Mortal Coils influenced the development of the short story genre in early 20th-century English literature and helped establish Huxley's reputation as one of the leading intellectuals and writers of his time. The collection reflects the cultural and social changes of the era, including the tension between tradition and modernism, making it significant for understanding the literary context of the period.