The Second Generation

The Second Generation, published in 1907 by David Graham Phillips, is a novel that examines the generational divide between the industrious values of the older generation and the leisure-oriented lifestyle of their children. The story centers on Hiram Ranger, a dedicated miller and industrialist, and his children, Arthur and Delia, who embody the changing social dynamics of their time. As Arthur struggles with academic failure and the expectations of his father, the narrative explores themes of duty, social class, and the clash of traditional work ethics with emerging desires for luxury and status.