The Sot-Weed Factor (novel)

The Sot-Weed Factor is a satirical novel written by John Barth, published in 1960. Set in colonial Maryland at the turn of the 18th century, the novel purports to be a fictionalized biography of Ebenezer Cooke, a real-life minor poet sometimes referred to as the "Sot-Weed Laureate" for his poem of the same name.

Barth's novel, however, bears little resemblance to historical accuracy. Instead, it utilizes the historical setting and the figure of Cooke as a springboard for a complex and self-aware exploration of identity, history, and the nature of storytelling itself. The novel employs elaborate language and metafictional techniques, frequently breaking the fourth wall and commenting on its own narrative construction.

Ebenezer Cooke is presented as a naive and idealistic Englishman who comes to Maryland to fulfill his obligations as the newly appointed laureate of the colony. He intends to write an epic poem that will accurately portray the New World. However, he quickly becomes entangled in a web of deceit, corruption, and sexual intrigue, leading him to question his own values and the very nature of truth.

The novel's title refers to both the historical Cooke's poem "The Sot-Weed Factor," which satirized the tobacco trade and colonial life, and to Ebenezer's own perceived role as a "sot-weed factor"—a merchant dealing in tobacco. The novel satirizes not only colonial society but also the conventions of the historical novel and the concept of historical objectivity.

The Sot-Weed Factor is noted for its length, its intricate plot, and its postmodern sensibility. While initially met with mixed reviews, it has since become recognized as a significant work of American literature, admired for its wit, its intellectual complexity, and its innovative approach to storytelling. It is considered a key text in the development of metafiction and postmodern literature.