The Gift by Melvin Sturgis (1951)
"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 · First published 1951 · 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?"
Similar titles
- Emmy Lous Road To Grace by George Madden Martin
- The Uncle Of An Angel by Thomas A. Janvier
- To Remember Charlie By by Roger Dee Aycock
- Peter by Francis Hopkinson Smith
- We Fall To Rise March April 1918 by E. W. Hornung
- Remedial by Gilbert Parker
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
What this Textopian page supports
The Gift is listed on Textopian as a novel by Melvin Sturgis, dated 1951 CE.
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: 1951 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Drama, Psychological Fiction, Literary Fiction
- Length: 3,709 words
- Structure: 1 section, 82 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th 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