Gale's satirical novel, published in 1920, describes the awakening of a shy, overworked spinster who rebels against her exploitative family and achieves happiness on her own terms. Lulu's success makes her a rare figure in early twentieth-century literature, which usually punishes the women who challenge socially-imposed gender roles. Following the popular reception of the 1920, Gale adapted the novel into a stage play. For her stage adaptation, Zona Gale became the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for drama.

It was in October that Mary Chavah burned over the grass of her lawn, and the flame ran free across the place where in Spring her wild flower bed was made. Two weeks later she had there a great patch of purple violets. And all Old Trail Town, which takes account of its neighbours' flowers, of the migratory birds, of eclipses, and the like, came to see the wonder.

The Deacons were at supper. In the middle of the table was a small, appealing tulip plant, looking as anything would look whose sun was a gas jet. This gas jet was high above the table and flared, with a sound.

It is as if Friendship Village were to say: - "There is no help for it. A telephone line, antique oak chairs, kitchen cabinets, a new doctor, and the like are upon us. But we shall be mediaeval directly-we and our improvements. Really, we are so now, if you know how to look.

As The Aloha rode gently to her buoy among the crafts in the harbour, St. George longed to proclaim in the megaphone's monstrous parody upon capital letters: "Cat-boats and house-boats and yawls, look here. You're bound to observe that this is my steam yacht. I own her-do you see? She belongs to me, St. George, who never before owned so much as a piece of rope."

Zona Gale (August 26, 1874 - December 27, 1938) was an American author and playwright. She became the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1921.