The Gilded Age

Historical Context and Significance

«The Gilded Age» is a satirical novel written by Mark Twain in collaboration with Charles Dudley Warner, published in 1873. The book presents a critical depiction of American society in the post-Civil War period, known as the Gilded Age. This term, coined by the authors, became synonymous with an era characterized by rapid economic growth, political corruption, and social inequality. The novel mocks greed and political corruption, revealing the moral decay of society hidden beneath a facade of prosperity and glitter. The book's influence on culture lies in its naming of an entire era in American history and its role as a significant work highlighting the need for social and political reforms. «The Gilded Age» also played a crucial role in the development of American satire and literature, becoming one of the first novels to openly criticize the societal vices of its time.