In the three zones

"In the Three Zones" by Frederic Jesup Stimson is a late 19th-century novel that examines idealism and materialism while looking at the tricky parts of being human through the life of Rousseau Tetherby. The story starts with Tetherby's health issues and the arguments he hears at college, which leads to his meeting with a strange German professor, Dr. Materialismus. Tetherby is a deep thinker from Maine who loves philosophical talks, but when he goes to college and gets into debating, he gets caught up in Dr. Materialismus's ideas. The professor stands for science and a focus on material things. Their talks make Tetherby question what he believes and causes him to form friendships and rivalries, especially when it comes to the fascinating Althea Hardy, who represents the emotional connection that Tetherby wants so badly. This sets the stage for a story about clashing ideas and human bonds, all while Tetherby is trying to figure out who he is and what he wants.