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Edgar Lee Masters. Edgar Lee Masters (1868-1950). Born in Garnett, Kansas in 1869. Midwest; Corn Belt Wrote in free verse Spare, simple, plain. Spoon River Anthology (1915). 200 spoken epitaphs Epitaph: a text honoring the deceased Hugely popular Themes:
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Edgar Lee Masters (1868-1950) • Born in Garnett, Kansas in 1869. • Midwest; Corn Belt • Wrote in free verse • Spare, simple, plain
Spoon River Anthology (1915) • 200 spoken epitaphs • Epitaph: a text honoring the deceased • Hugely popular • Themes: • The hidden underside of American life • Hypocrisy • American society
Quick Reading Quiz! • About how old was Lucinda Matlock when she died? • What kind of life has Lucinda Matlock had? Be as specific as possible. • What happened to ‘Butch’ Weldy? • What did the Circuit Judge decide in the end?
“Richard Bone” • Irony of “how near to the life” • Bone exposes hypocrisy while at the same time admitting his own complicity in it. • The mention of historians at the end.
“Lucinda Matlock” • “It takes life to love Life.” • Life (vitality, energy) vs. Life
“‘Butch’ Weldy” • Class conflict: The Circuit Judge said whoever did it Was a fellow-servant of mine, and so Old Rhodes' son didn't have to pay me. • The irony of "I didn't know him at all."