Lambert Hutchins
The poem presents the reflections of a man who has achieved material success and social status, symbolized by his grand house and contributions to urban development. He recounts the duality of his accomplishments, juxtaposing the physical monuments he built with the emotional and psychological toll they took on his family. Despite his efforts to secure a comfortable life for his daughters, he recognizes that wealth and status do not equate to happiness or peace of mind. The speaker expresses a sense of disillusionment, revealing that the very achievements meant to provide security instead fostered anxiety and restlessness. The whispers he hears suggest societal judgment or discontent, which permeates his family's life. His daughters, feeling trapped by their circumstances, seek escape through impulsive marriages, indicating a desire for freedom from the oppressive expectations tied to their father's success. Ultimately, the speaker questions the value of his endeavors, concluding that the legacy he intended to create is overshadowed by the emotional scars left on his family. The poem critiques the notion that material wealth can guarantee fulfillment, highlighting the complexities of human experience and the often-unseen consequences of societal ambition.
By Edgar Lee Masters · First published 1916 · Genre: Poetry, Literary Fiction, Social Commentary · 279 words
First lines
I have two monuments besides this granite obelisk:
One, the house I built on the hill, With its spires, bay windows, and roof of slate;
The other, the lake-front in Chicago, Where the railroad keeps a switching yard, With whistling engines and crunching wheels, And smoke and soot thrown over the city, And the crash of cars along the boulevard --
A blot like a hog-pen on the harbor Of a great metropolis, foul as a sty.
What this Textopian page supports
Lambert Hutchins 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: 279 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Lambert Hutchins 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 Lambert Hutchins?
- 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
- Hildrup Tubbs by Edgar Lee Masters
- Clarence Fawcett by Edgar Lee Masters
- John M Church by Edgar Lee Masters
- Alexander Throckmorton by Edgar Lee Masters
- Hamilton Greene by Edgar Lee Masters
- John Horace Burleson 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 poem critiques societal values and the impact of wealth and status on personal lives.
- Modernism — The work reflects modernist themes of disillusionment and the search for meaning in a changing world.
Tags
American Literature · Poetry Collection · Free Verse · Symbolism · Psychological Insight · Character Study · Social Commentary · Midwestern Life · Small Town America · Human Nature · Emotional Depth · Inner Turmoil