First Harvests An Episode in The Life of Mrs. Levison Gower A Satire

First Harvests: An Episode in the Life of Mrs. Levison Gower is a satirical novel written by Frederic Jesup Stimson and published in 1897. The book follows the life of Mrs. Levison Gower, a wealthy New York socialite who has recently purchased a farm in the countryside. As Mrs. Gower begins to involve herself in the daily operations of the farm, she quickly realizes that she has little knowledge of agricultural practices or rural life. Despite her lack of experience, she is determined to succeed and become a successful farmer. However, Mrs. Gower's efforts are hindered by the incompetence and laziness of her farmhands, as well as her own misguided attempts at modernizing the farm with new machinery and techniques. Her idealistic vision of farming clashes with the harsh realities of rural life, and she begins to question her own abilities and her place in society. Throughout the novel, Stimson satirizes the values and priorities of the wealthy upper classes, as well as their often misguided attempts at social reform. He also offers a critique of the American Dream and the notion of self-made success, questioning the very foundations of American society. Overall, 'First Harvests' is a humorous and biting satire that pokes fun at the excesses and pretensions of the American elite. Through the character of Mrs. Levison Gower, Stimson offers a scathing critique of the values and priorities of his time.