Spoon River Anthology Summary
Spoon River Anthology is a collection of poems (called "epitaphs") written from the points of view of deceased citizens of a fictional small town.
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In the first poem, a cemetery speaks about the villagers buried on its grassy hill.
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Some of the characters in the collection include Mr. Painter, a lawyer; Mr. Trainor, a druggist; the self-righteous Judge Somers; and a drunkard, Chase Henry, who has been gifted an expensive tombstone.
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Many of the poems refer to previous ones, giving the sense that the lives of Spoon River's residents were deeply intertwined.
Summary
Edgar Lee Masters carved a niche for himself in literary history primarily through a single masterpiece, Spoon River Anthology. Though he penned numerous works, including poetry, plays, essays, and biographies, it is this singular volume that cements his legacy. Masters painted a vivid portrait of small-town life, ostensibly set in Lewiston, Illinois, the place where he began his legal career.
Influences and Inspirations
The form and style of Spoon River Anthology were not entirely unique creations by Masters. They drew considerable influence from The Greek Anthology and Robert Browning's poetic character sketches. Despite these inspirations, Masters infused his work with a freshness that continues to resonate nearly a century later. Through the voices of over two hundred deceased Spoon River residents, Masters weaves tales of their lives and secrets, offering insights that are both shocking and candid. These personal revelations, at times scandalous, are shared with a simplicity that evokes a similar calmness in the reader.
Controversy and Themes
The frank nature of the revelations in Spoon River Anthology sparked controversy among readers who were unsettled by its depiction of small-town America. While many poems intertwine, hinting at a larger narrative, the collection lacks a central theme. One of the more prominent threads is the downfall of the town's bank, a tragedy linked to Thomas Rhodes and his son Ralph, who admits:
All they said was true:I wrecked my father’s bank with my loansTo dabble in wheat; but this was true—I was buying wheat for him as well,Who couldn’t margin the deal in his nameBecause of his church relationship.
The collapse affects many, including an innocent cashier who is imprisoned. Yet, the deeper harm lies in the erosion of trust among the townspeople, disillusioned by their leaders' moral failures.
Character Portraits
Masters populates his anthology with a diverse array of characters, each adding color to Spoon River's tapestry. Daisy Fraser, the town's infamous harlot, is noted for her peculiar contribution to the community's coffers. Meanwhile, Lucinda Matlock reflects a life lived fully:
Rambled over the fields where sang the larks,And by Spoon River gathering many a shell,And many a flower and medicinal weed—Shouting to the wooded hills, singing to the green valleys.At ninety-six I had lived enough, that is all,And passed to a sweet repose.
The town also boasts Doc Hill and Doc Myers, whose lives are tinged with sorrow, and Petit, the Poet, whose quiet verses contrast with the grandeur of Whitman and Homer. Among the more tragic figures is Chase Henry, a drunkard denied a sacred burial, yet eventually honored through ironic circumstances.
Light Amidst Darkness
The anthology, heavily weighted with tales of moral failings, offers respite through more cheerful narratives, such as Lucinda Matlock's and Ann Rutledge's stories. Characters like Hare Drummer and Conrad Siever, who find contentment in simple memories and life's small joys, contrast the heavier themes. Fiddler Jones, who lives without regret, embodies a carefree spirit amidst the solemnity of others.
Irony and Depth
Masters skillfully juxtaposes poems to create striking irony. In one case, Elsa Wertman reveals that her son, raised as the Greenes' child, was fathered by Thomas Greene. This contrasts sharply with Hamilton's claim of inheriting "honorable blood" from the Greenes. Then there is Roscoe Purkapile, whose elaborate tale of pirate captivity is seen through by his wife, highlighting the web of deceit he spun.
Artistic Techniques
The variety within these short poems is notable, often achieved through Masters's use of free verse. This flexibility allows for genuine expression, such as in Bert Kessler's vivid recount of his fatal encounter with a rattlesnake. In contrast, Harry Williams's story reveals the...
(This entire section contains 714 words.)
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disillusionment of a soldier's life cut short, simmering with bitter irony.
Mastery and Missteps
Not every poem hits its mark, reminiscent of how not all of Shakespeare's sonnets are masterpieces. Some, like "Sexsmith the Dentist," seem contrived for a clever but ultimately hollow punchline. However, the overarching achievement is Masters's ability to capture the essence of familiar faces and ordinary lives, revealing the concealed truths that linger beyond the grave.
In the end, Spoon River Anthology stands as a testament to the human condition, subtly suggesting that the secrets we harbor may be as profound as those confessed by the voices of Spoon River.