Hildrup Tubbs by Edgar Lee Masters
The work presents the life of a man who has experienced political ambition and subsequent disillusionment. Initially, he fights for reform, leaving his political party to champion independence, but faces defeat. In a second attempt, he reclaims his party's standard, only to be defeated again. This cycle of failure leads to his discrediting and isolation, prompting a shift towards materialism as he seeks solace in wealth. He becomes an assignee for a bankrupt bank, symbolizing his moral decay and societal rejection. As he ages, he reflects on his lost passions and the emptiness of his pursuits, feeling abandoned by both society and death. The narrative captures themes of ambition, failure, and the search for meaning in a life marked by political and personal decline.
By Edgar Lee Masters · First published 1916 · Genre: Poetry, Literary Fiction, Social Commentary · 166 words
First lines
I made two fights for the people.
First I left my party, bearing the gonfalon Of independence, for reform, and was defeated.
Next I used my rebel strength To capture the standard of my old party --
And I captured it, but I was defeated.
What this Textopian page supports
Hildrup Tubbs 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, Social Commentary, Modernism, Biography
- Length: 166 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Hildrup Tubbs 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 Hildrup Tubbs?
- 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
- Ace Shaw by Edgar Lee Masters
- Lambert Hutchins by Edgar Lee Masters
- Wendell P Bloyd by Edgar Lee Masters
- Searcy Foote by Edgar Lee Masters
- Willard Fluke by Edgar Lee Masters
- Lois Spears by Edgar Lee Masters
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices and structure.
- Literary Fiction — The themes explore complex human emotions and societal issues, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Social Commentary — The text critiques political and social structures, reflecting on personal and societal failures.
- Modernism — The work exhibits modernist themes of disillusionment and individual struggle within a changing society.
Tags
American Literature · Poetry Collection · Free Verse · Symbolism · Psychological Insight · Character Study · Social Commentary · Midwestern Setting · Rural Life · Small Town America · Human Nature · Emotional Depth