Zona Gale's Miss Lulu Bett and Selected Stories

Zona Gale's 1920 novel "Miss Lulu Bett" revolves around the life of its titular character, who resides in a small town with her sister Ina and Ina's husband Dwight, a dentist known for his self-righteous smugness in ruling his household. As an unmarried woman, Lulu has accepted her role as the chief cook, housekeeper, and gracious presence in the home. However, when Dwight's sophisticated brother Ninian visits, Lulu discovers a surprising wit and boldness within herself, leading her to accept Ninian's playful marriage proposal.

Through the appealing and determined Lulu, Gale satirically challenges various social assumptions of her era, from the notion of male supremacy to the perceived security of marriage. Upon its initial publication in 1920, "Miss Lulu Bett" was immediately acclaimed and went on to become one of the two bestselling novels of the year. Alongside four of Gale's short stories, including the O. Henry award-winning "Bridal Pond," the novel reflects the author's broad progressive interests and the captivating prose that made her one of the most popular writers of her time, establishing her as a classic American storyteller.

The novel's literary merits have been widely recognized. As Robert Benchley of The World described it, "Miss Lulu Bett" is "a great book...the telling is almost incomparable." The Atlantic Monthly praised it as "eloquent...without flaw," while The New Republic hailed it as a "signal accomplishment in American letters" with a "narrowly limned beauty."

Through the character of Lulu, Gale skillfully navigates the complexities of gender roles, societal expectations, and the pursuit of personal fulfillment in the early 20th century. The novel's enduring appeal lies in its ability to captivate readers with Lulu's journey of self-discovery, while also offering incisive social commentary. Gale's masterful storytelling and her willingness to challenge the status quo have cemented "Miss Lulu Bett" as a seminal work in American literature, ensuring its continued relevance and resonance with modern audiences.

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