The Sun Worshipper by G.K. Chesterton

Name: The Sun Worshipper
Author: G.K. Chesterton

The Sun Worshipper is a short story by G.K. Chesterton that explores the theme of idolatry and the dangers of worshipping false gods. The story follows a man named Mr. Symon, who becomes obsessed with the sun and begins to worship it as his god. As he becomes more and more consumed by his obsession, he loses touch with reality and ultimately meets a tragic end.

By G.K. Chesterton · First published 1920 · Genre: Political Satire, Philosophical Essay, Social Commentary · 2,291 words

First lines

There is a shrewd warning to be given to all people who are in revolt. And in the present state of things, I think all men are revolting in that sense; except a few who are revolting in the other sense. But the warning to Socialists and other revolutionaries is this: that as sure as fate, if they use any argument which is atheist or materialistic, that argument will always be turned against them at last by the tyrant and the slave. To-day I saw one too common Socialist argument turned Tory, so to speak, in a manner quite startling and insane. I mean that modern doctrine, taught, I believe, by most followers of Karl Marx, which is called the materialist theory of history. The theory is, roughly, this: that all the important things in history are rooted in an economic motive. In short, history is a science; a science of the search for food.

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The Sun Worshipper is listed on Textopian as a short story by G.K. Chesterton, dated 1920 CE.

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Work type: Short story
Author: G.K. Chesterton
Date: 1920 CE
Language: English
Genres: Political Satire, Philosophical Essay, Social Commentary, Historical Critique, Humor
Length: 2,291 words
Structure: 1 section, 20 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

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Genres

Political Satire — The text critiques political and social systems, using humor and irony to highlight the absurdities of materialist theories and class inequalities.
Philosophical Essay — The work explores philosophical ideas about history, economics, and human motivation, challenging materialist interpretations.
Social Commentary — The narrative provides a critical examination of societal structures, particularly focusing on class disparities and the plight of the poor.
Historical Critique — The text critiques historical interpretations, especially those that reduce history to economic motives, offering alternative perspectives.