Sheppard Lee, Written by Himself. Vol. 2 (of 2)

In Short

This picaresque satire follows the desperate, wandering spirit of Sheppard Lee, a down-on-his-luck farmer who gains the supernatural ability to jump between bodies. As he occupies the physical forms of misers, philanthropists, and enslaved men, he learns that wealth and social standing are no shield against the absurdity and cruelty of human existence. Though he seeks an easier life, he finds only new entanglements and perils. It remains a fascinating relic of early American literature, blending dark humor with social commentary to explore the frustrations of the American dream.

The Story

The narrative arc begins in New Jersey with Sheppard Lee, a man weary of his own poverty and perceived failures. Upon stumbling across a corpse in a shed, he finds he can inhabit it, initiating a series of transmigrations. Lee initially treats these shifts as opportunities to improve his station, assuming that occupying a wealthy or influential man’s body will grant him the happiness that eluded him in his own skin. He becomes, by turns, a miserly skinflint, a benevolent but misguided philanthropist, and even a man enslaved in the South.

In each life, Lee discovers that the external appearance of success is a hollow facade. As a wealthy man, he is plagued by greedy relatives, manipulative servants, and the crushing weight of public expectations. When he tries to practice charity, he is swindled by those he helps and harassed by a society that views his altruism as a form of insanity or dangerous radicalism. His attempts to navigate the complexities of class and law—particularly when he finds himself trapped in the horrors of Southern slavery—result in profound disorientation and violence.

The story moves toward a frantic, surreal climax as Lee finds himself pursued by enemies—both real and imagined—across state lines. He is forced to confront the reality that he cannot escape his own temperament, no matter whose body he wears. After a harrowing escape from a lynch mob and a long, exhausting flight back to his home turf, Lee finally finds his way back to his original, "mummified" body. He reconciles with his family and his own identity. In the end, Lee abandons his quest for a better life through transformation, instead embracing the simple, honest labor of his own small farm. He concludes that satisfaction is not found in the acquisition of another man’s life, but in the acceptance of one’s own, however modest or stiff-jointed that life may be. The drama concludes with Lee at peace, living a quiet existence surrounded by his servants and kin, having learned that the grass is never greener, just differently thorny.

How It Unfolds

The discovery of the gift After expressing a desperate wish for a change of fortune, Lee finds he can animate the corpse of a deceased drunkard. This shocking transition marks the start of his restless journey through the lives of others.

The struggle for wealth Lee inhabits a series of prosperous men, only to be confronted by the voraciousness of their heirs and the hollow nature of their status. He quickly learns that financial comfort is perpetually threatened by the scheming of those closest to him.

The burden of benevolence Taking the form of a well-meaning philanthropist, Lee attempts to use his influence to aid the poor. He is met with ingratitude and eventually finds himself targeted by society for his perceived ideological failings.

The descent into danger Lee’s journeys take a darker turn as he is caught in the machinery of the legal system and the brutal realities of the antebellum South. He realizes that his ability to hop bodies does not exempt him from the violence of the world around him.

The flight home Driven by terror and a sense of impending doom, Lee undergoes a marathon run back to his original home. This physical ordeal serves as a purging of his desire to be anyone but himself.

The final contentment Back in his own skin, Lee reflects on the hard-won wisdom of his experiences. He accepts his humble lot, finding that the dignity of labor outweighs the chaotic temptations of his former, borrowed lives.

The People

Sheppard Lee is the restless, discontented protagonist who believes his unhappiness is a matter of circumstance rather than character. Throughout his odyssey, he remains fundamentally the same man, regardless of the body he inhabits. Ralph Skinner, the nephew in one of Lee’s iterations, represents the predatory nature of family members who view a relative’s wealth as a personal resource to be plundered. Zachariah Longstraw, a later persona, is a man whose extreme altruism is his undoing; he wants to save the world but lacks the worldly wisdom to handle the consequences of his generosity. Finally, Jim Jumble, Lee’s faithful servant, acts as a grounded foil to Lee’s wanderlust. He remains steadfast and honest, eventually helping to anchor Lee back to the reality of his own existence.

In Its Own Voice

"I perceived he was dead; a discovery that filled me with uncommon joy; for my eagerness to change my condition was such, that I only saw in him a body to be taken possession of."

Lee describes his initial reaction to finding a corpse, highlighting the moral detachment that fuels his bizarre journey.

"The sweets of life, enjoyed by themselves, are just as disgusting as the bitters, and can only be properly relished when alternated or mingled with the latter."

Lee offers this bit of hard-won philosophy while reflecting on his time as a wealthy man who found only boredom and trouble in the absence of hardship.

What It's Really About

At its core, the book is an interrogation of the American obsession with self-improvement and the desire to escape one’s own reality. It asks whether happiness is a product of our environment or a condition of the mind. By forcing his protagonist to inhabit the lives of men from different social strata—from the wealthy landowner to the enslaved laborer—the author exposes the fragility of identity and the social constructs that define us. The work suggests that the "American Dream" of effortless advancement is a mirage, and that true peace is found not in changing one's place in the world, but in finding utility and acceptance within the life one is actually born into.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy the satirical, biting wit of 19th-century American literature will find much to admire here. The book moves at a frantic, often surreal pace that feels surprisingly modern, despite the archaic prose style. It is a strange, genre-bending work that shifts from philosophical musings on the nature of suffering to grim depictions of social injustice and mob violence.

However, modern readers should be prepared for the realities of its era. The book contains period-specific attitudes and vernacular that are historically significant but can be challenging or uncomfortable to encounter. It is a long, winding, and sometimes repetitive read, reflecting the serial nature of its original publication. The dialect used for certain characters is a product of its time, and the depictions of slavery are historically charged, reflecting the perspective of a writer living in the mid-1830s.

If you are willing to navigate these complexities, you will find a uniquely American voice—one that is cynical about the promises of society yet surprisingly tender about the necessity of home and work. It stays with you as a haunting, often funny, and ultimately somber reflection on the impossibility of truly walking a mile in another man’s shoes.