Tomlinson by Rudyard Kipling (1903)
The narrative follows a man named Tomlinson who dies and is confronted by a spirit at his bedside. The spirit takes him to the celestial realm, where he must answer for the good he has done in life. Tomlinson struggles to recall any significant deeds, relying on the influence of a friend and priest, but is informed that each soul must stand alone at Heaven's Gate. His attempts to justify his existence through borrowed thoughts and experiences are met with disdain, as he is told that mere words and secondhand knowledge are insufficient for entry. The spirit then transports him to Hell's Gate, where he faces the Devil. Here, Tomlinson is again asked to account for his actions, but he finds himself equally unprepared. He recalls a love from his past, hoping she might vouch for him, but is reminded that personal sins must be faced individually. The Devil dismisses his pleas, highlighting the futility of his attempts to shift blame or responsibility. As Tomlinson reflects on his life, he admits to various sins, including mocking love and the divine. The Devil, unimpressed by Tomlinson's confessions, orders his minions to examine his soul. They find it lacking, devoid of true worth or integrity. The Devil contemplates the implications of allowing Tomlinson into Hell, ultimately deciding against it due to the potential embarrassment it would bring to his realm. Instead, the Devil sends Tomlinson back to Earth, instructing him to return with a warning: individuals must account for their sins personally, as the consequences of actions cannot be shared or borrowed. Tomlinson is urged to live with awareness and integrity, carrying the message that the sins committed in life must be faced alone, and that true understanding of God cannot be derived from mere texts. The narrative concludes with Tomlinson being returned to the living world, tasked with a new purpose.
By Rudyard Kipling · First published 1903 · Genre: Fantasy, Poetry, Philosophical · 2,290 words
First lines
Now Tomlinson gave up the ghost in his house in Berkeley Square, And a Spirit came to his bedside and gripped him by the hair -- A Spirit gripped him by the hair and carried him far away, Till he heard as the roar of a rain-fed ford the roar of the Milky Way: Till he heard the roar of the Milky Way die down and drone and cease, And they came to the Gate within the Wall where Peter holds the keys. "Stand up, stand up now, Tomlinson, and answer loud and high The good that ye did for the sake of men or ever ye came to die -- The good that ye did for the sake of men in little earth so lone! " And the naked soul of Tomlinson grew white as a rain-washed bone. "O I have a friend on earth," he said, "that was my priest and guide, And well would he answer all for me if he were by my side. " -- "For that ye strove in neighbour-love it shall be written fair, But now ye wait at Heaven's Gate and not in Berkeley Square: Though we called your friend from his bed this night, he could not speak for you, For the race is run by one and one and never by two and two. " Then Tomlinson looked up and down, and little gain was there, For the naked stars grinned overhead, and he saw that his soul was bare: The Wind that blows between the worlds, it cut him like a knife, And Tomlinson took up his tale and spoke of his good in life.
What this Textopian page supports
Tomlinson is listed on Textopian as a poem by Rudyard Kipling, dated 1903 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Rudyard Kipling
- Date: 1903 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Poetry, Philosophical, Allegory, Literary Fiction
- Length: 2,290 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for Tomlinson by Rudyard Kipling
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Tomlinson?
- How does this poem by Rudyard Kipling fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Genres
- Fantasy — The narrative involves supernatural elements, including spirits and the afterlife, which are central to the plot.
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhythmic and lyrical language typical of poetry.
- Philosophical — The themes explore moral and existential questions about life, sin, and redemption.
- Allegory — The story serves as an allegorical representation of moral choices and their consequences.
Tags
adventure · colonialism · British Empire · identity · courage · self-discovery · conflict · loyalty · betrayal · friendship · cultural clash · heroism