The Gift by Melvin Sturgis
"The Gift" by Melvin Sturgis follows Carl Sloan, a boy with miraculous healing abilities, who is misunderstood and ultimately persecuted by society. As a child, Carl performs small miracles, healing animals and even people, but his extraordinary abilities lead to suspicion and fear from those around him. After being institutionalized for years, he returns to a world that is not ready to accept his gift. When Carl heals a blind man, he gains notoriety, attracting crowds seeking miracles. However, a tragic incident involving a dying girl leads to chaos and the deaths of several people, resulting in Carl's arrest and trial. The court finds him guilty of inciting violence, and he is sentenced to a procedure that will erase his abilities and individuality. The story concludes with Carl undergoing a lobotomy, leaving him devoid of his gift and essence, highlighting society's inability to accept those who are different.
By Melvin Sturgis · Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Drama · 3,709 words
First lines
As a boy, Carl Sloan began to perform miracles, healing the sick. But the world hated him -- for being born a thousand years too soon.
The tenseness in the tiny court room was a live thing that you could feel clear down to your insoles. The thick silence was broken as the judge said solemnly: "Your objection will be taken under advisement by the court, Counselor. In what manner will the childhood of the defendant be relevant to this case, Mr. Prosecutor?"
What this Textopian page supports
The Gift is listed on Textopian as a novel by Melvin Sturgis, dated Date unknown.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Melvin Sturgis
- Date: Date unknown
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Drama, Psychological Fiction, Literary Fiction
- Length: 3,709 words
- Structure: 1 section, 82 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Gift by Melvin Sturgis
- 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 The Gift?
- How does this novel by Melvin Sturgis fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Science Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Science Fiction — The narrative explores themes of extraordinary abilities and societal rejection, typical of speculative fiction.
- Fantasy — The protagonist possesses miraculous healing powers, aligning with fantasy elements.
- Drama — The story delves into emotional and moral conflicts surrounding the protagonist's abilities and societal perceptions.
- Psychological Fiction — The exploration of the protagonist's mental state and societal labeling reflects psychological themes.
Tags
gift · family · love · friendship · self-discovery · adventure · coming-of-age · relationships · loss · redemption · hope · journey