Why do we say 'bury the hatchet'? | SAYINGS EXPLAINED

William Makepeace Thackeray's The Newcomes is a Victorian novel centered on the lives and fortunes of the Newcome family, exploring themes of social ambition, hypocrisy, and moral character. The book uses satire and detailed characterization to critique the values and manners of English society in the mid-19th century. Thackeray interweaves various subplots and a broad cast of characters to probe questions of inheritance, reputation, and personal integrity. The novel was serialized and reflects Thackeray's narrative style combining irony with moral observation. It has been noted for its psychological insight and its place within Thackeray's broader examination of Victorian social life.

The book tells the dual stories of Daniel H. Burnham, who led the construction of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, and H.H. Holmes, a serial killer who used the fair to lure his victims. Burnham faced numerous challenges in building the 'White City', while Holmes constructed his 'Murder Castle', a hotel with secret rooms, torture chambers, and other sinister features. The narrative explores the contrast between the grandeur of the fair and the dark deeds of Holmes, set against the backdrop of late 19th-century America.

Published in 1819, 'Ivanhoe' is a historical novel that takes place in England in the 1190s, after the Norman Conquest. The story revolves around Sir Wilfred of Ivanhoe, a Saxon knight who returns from the Crusades to find his homeland under the corrupt rule of Prince John. Ivanhoe must navigate his forbidden love for Rowena, his father's ward, while also fighting against injustice and supporting King Richard the Lionheart. The novel includes elements of chivalric romance, medievalism, and the struggles between Normans and Saxons, as well as the persecution of Jews. It culminates in a trial by combat where Ivanhoe defends Rebecca, a Jewish woman accused of witchcraft, and ultimately leads to the reconciliation of Ivanhoe with his father and his marriage to Rowena.