Butch Weldy by Edgar Lee Masters
The narrative centers on a character reflecting on his life experiences, particularly focusing on a tragic accident that led to his blindness and disability. After a transformative religious experience, he finds employment at a canning factory, where he is tasked with filling a gasoline tank for blow-fires used in soldering. During one fateful morning, while performing this duty, an explosion occurs due to negligence—specifically, a blow-fire left unattended. The explosion results in severe injuries, including broken legs and blindness. The protagonist's subsequent legal battle reveals the harsh realities of workplace accountability; the Circuit Judge rules that the responsible party, a fellow worker, is not liable for damages, leaving the protagonist without compensation. The character's reflections convey themes of injustice, the fragility of life, and the impact of fate. His experience serves as a critique of societal and legal systems that fail to protect the vulnerable. The protagonist's struggle with his new reality and the memories of his past life highlight the emotional and physical toll of his circumstances, ultimately painting a poignant picture of resilience in the face of adversity.
By Edgar Lee Masters · First published 1916 · Genre: Poetry, Literary Fiction, Realism · 224 words
First lines
After I got religion and steadied down They gave me a job in the canning works, And every morning I had to fill The tank in the yard with gasoline, That fed the blow-fires in the sheds To heat the soldering irons.
And I mounted a rickety ladder to do it, Carrying buckets full of the stuff.
One morning, as I stood there pouring, The air grew still and seemed to heave, And I shot up as the tank exploded, And down I came with both legs broken, And my eyes burned crisp as a couple of eggs.
For someone left a blow-fire going, And something sucked the flame in the tank.
What this Textopian page supports
Butch Weldy is listed on Textopian as a short story by Edgar Lee Masters, dated 1916 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Edgar Lee Masters
- Date: 1916 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Literary Fiction, Realism, Tragedy, Historical Fiction
- Length: 224 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Butch Weldy by Edgar Lee Masters
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Butch Weldy?
- How does this short story by Edgar Lee Masters fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Sam Hookey by Edgar Lee Masters
- Jim Brown by Edgar Lee Masters
- Ollie Mcgee by Edgar Lee Masters
- J Milton Miles by Edgar Lee Masters
- Tennessee Claflin Shope by Edgar Lee Masters
- Thomas Trebelyan by Edgar Lee Masters
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices and structure.
- Literary Fiction — The narrative explores deep themes of personal struggle, societal issues, and human experience.
- Realism — The story presents a realistic portrayal of life, focusing on the hardships and injustices faced by the protagonist.
- Tragedy — The protagonist experiences significant suffering and misfortune, characteristic of tragic narratives.
Tags
American Literature · Poetry Collection · Free Verse · Symbolism · Psychological Insight · Social Commentary · Midwestern Life · Working Class Experience · Marriage and Relationships · Isolation and Loneliness · Mortality and Aging · Memory and Nostalgia