The Sultan by G.K. Chesterton (1905)

Name: The Sultan
Author: G.K. Chesterton

The Sultan is a short story by G.K. Chesterton that tells the tale of a powerful ruler who becomes disillusioned with his own power and wealth. The story explores themes of greed, corruption, and the search for meaning in life.

By G.K. Chesterton · First published 1905 · Genre: Political Satire, Philosophical, Historical Commentary · 1,216 words

First lines

There is one deep defect in our extension of cosmopolitan and Imperial cultures. That is, that in most human things if you spread your butter far you spread it thin. But there is an odder fact yet: rooted in something dark and irrational in human nature. That is, that when you find your butter thin, you begin to spread it. And it is just when you find your ideas wearing thin in your own mind that you begin to spread them among your fellow-creatures. It is a paradox; but not my paradox. There are numerous cases in history; but I think the strongest case is this. That we have Imperialism in all our clubs at the very time when we have Orientalism in all our drawing-rooms.

What this Textopian page supports

The Sultan is listed on Textopian as a short story by G.K. Chesterton, dated 1905 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Short story
Author: G.K. Chesterton
Date: 1905 CE
Language: English
Genres: Political Satire, Philosophical, Historical Commentary, Cultural Criticism, Essay
Length: 1,216 words
Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Political Satire — The text critiques imperialism and the spread of Western ideas, using irony and humor to highlight the absurdities of colonial attitudes.
Philosophical — The work explores deep philosophical themes such as fate, cultural identity, and the nature of power, questioning the validity of imperialist ideologies.
Historical Commentary — The narrative references historical figures and events, providing a critical analysis of the imperialist mindset during the Victorian era.
Cultural Criticism — The text examines the cultural exchanges and contradictions between Western and Eastern philosophies, critiquing the superficial adoption of Eastern ideas by Western elites.