The Squirrel-Cage

The Squirrel-Cage is a novel by Dorothy Canfield Fisher, published in the early 20th century, that centers on the Emery family, particularly Lydia, the youngest daughter, as she returns home from a year in Europe. The story delves into themes of social ambition, personal identity, and family dynamics, highlighting Lydia's struggle to reconcile her European experiences with the societal expectations in her hometown of Endbury, Ohio. Fisher, an influential author and social activist, uses this narrative to explore the tensions between romantic ideals and pragmatic family values.