"The Rise of Silas Lapham" is a realist novel by William Dean Howells, published in 1885. The story follows Silas Lapham's journey from poverty to wealth and his struggle with moral choices. Silas becomes rich in the paint business but lacks social standing, which he hopes to gain through his daughter's marriage into an aristocratic family. However, Silas remains morally upright and refuses to engage in unethical business practices. The novel explores themes of American reali