Oklahoma by Ernest Hemingway (1923)
Oklahoma, by Ernest Hemingway, is a novel about a young man named Tom who is struggling to find his place in the world. He is a drifter, living in Oklahoma, and he is searching for a sense of purpose and belonging. He meets a variety of people, from a young girl who is running away from home to a Native American man who is trying to find his way back to his tribe. Along the way, Tom discovers the beauty of the Oklahoma landscape and the strength of the people who inhabit it. He also learns about the struggles of the Native Americans and the injustices they have faced. Ultimately, Tom finds a sense of belonging and purpose in Oklahoma, and he is able to move forward with his life.
By Ernest Hemingway · First published 1923 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Realism, Romance · 130 words
First lines
All of the Indians are dead (a good Indian is a dead Indian) Or riding in motor cars- (the oil lands, you know, they're all rich)
Smoke smarts my eyes, Cottonwood twigs and buffalo dung Smoke grey in the teepee- (or is it myopic trachoma)
The prairies are long, The moon rises, Ponies Drag at their pickets. The grass has gone brown in the summer- (or is it the hay crop failing)
Pull an arrow out: If you break it The wound closes. Salt is good too And wood ashes. Pounding it throbs in the night- (or is it the gonorrhea)
What this Textopian page supports
Oklahoma is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ernest Hemingway, dated 1923 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Ernest Hemingway
- Date: 1923 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Realism, Romance, Adventure
- Length: 130 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Oklahoma by Ernest Hemingway
- 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 Oklahoma?
- How does this poem by Ernest Hemingway fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Historical Fiction — The book is set in Oklahoma during the early 20th century, and follows the lives of the characters as they experience the changing times and the effects of the Great Depression.
- Realism — Hemingway's writing style is characterized by its realism, focusing on the everyday lives of ordinary people and their struggles.
- Romance — The book follows the romantic relationships between the characters, and the struggles they face in maintaining them.
- Adventure — The characters embark on a journey of self-discovery, encountering many obstacles and adventures along the way.
Tags
20th century · 20th century fiction · American · American fiction · American poetry · Short stories · american and canadian literature · arrow · break · brown · buffalo · cottonwood