Oaks Tutt by Edgar Lee Masters
The narrative follows a character who is deeply influenced by his upbringing, with a mother advocating for women's rights and a father who is a wealthy miller. Motivated by a desire to address societal injustices, he embarks on a journey across various countries, seeking knowledge and understanding to enact reform. His travels take him to historical sites, where he contemplates the downfall of great civilizations, receiving a divine message urging him to preach justice and truth. Upon returning to his hometown, he shares his newfound insights with the community, which perceives a change in him. His ideas spark interest and debate, particularly with a local figure who challenges him to defend the notion that Pontius Pilate is the greatest philosopher. The debate centers around the elusive nature of truth, culminating in a pivotal moment where the protagonist is confronted with the question of what truth actually is, highlighting the complexities of reform and the philosophical dilemmas surrounding justice and morality. The work explores themes of idealism, the quest for truth, and the challenges of enacting change in a world resistant to it. The protagonist's journey reflects a broader commentary on the human condition, the struggle for understanding, and the often ambiguous nature of truth in the pursuit of justice.
By Edgar Lee Masters · First published 1916 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Philosophical Fiction, Social Commentary · 266 words
First lines
My mother was for woman's rights And my father was the rich miller at London Mills.
I dreamed of the wrongs of the world and wanted to right them.
When my father died, I set out to see peoples and countries In order to learn how to reform the world.
I traveled through many lands.
What this Textopian page supports
Oaks Tutt 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: Literary Fiction, Philosophical Fiction, Social Commentary, Historical Fiction, Poetry
- Length: 266 words
- Structure: 1 section, 16 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Oaks Tutt by Edgar Lee Masters
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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- How does this short story by Edgar Lee Masters fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of justice, truth, and personal philosophy, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Philosophical Fiction — The narrative engages deeply with philosophical questions about truth and morality, aligning it with philosophical fiction.
- Social Commentary — The protagonist's journey reflects social issues and critiques societal norms, fitting the social commentary genre.
- Historical Fiction — References to historical ruins and figures suggest a connection to historical contexts, placing it within historical fiction.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · Symbolism · Nature Imagery · Mortality · Existentialism · Philosophy · Psychological Insight · Stream-of-Consciousness · Free Verse · Imagery · Metaphor