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Power, Pride and Pretence

Works that use irony, satire, or sharp observation to reveal how people handle power, authority, status, and their own weaknesses. This collection is not limited to political books, but belongs to stories in which power becomes a mirror of human ridiculousness, fear, vanity, and self-deception.

Curator note

Authority often looks like theatre here. Offices, titles, social rules, slogans, and solemn poses begin to fall apart when what lies behind them is revealed: fear, pride, emptiness, or the desire to appear important. Laughter in these books often has a sharp edge.

Works in this collection

2 published works

The Decameron

Giovanni Boccaccio

A landmark collection of one hundred stories framed by a group of young Florentines seeking refuge from the plague. Their tales range from comic and romantic to tragic and morally reflective, capturing the vibrancy, wit, and humanity of medieval life. Boccaccio’s work blends sharp social insight with lively storytelling, making it a cornerstone of European literature.

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The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg

Mark Twain

Hadleyburg is a town proud of its spotless reputation — and that is exactly what makes its certainty so fragile. The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg is one of those stories that first makes us smile, then slowly reveals how sharply it cuts into pride, hypocrisy, and the wish to appear better than we are. With wit and irony, Twain reminds us that virtue may be at its most vulnerable when it is most proudly displayed.

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