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Edgar Lee Masters

Delve into Edgar Lee Masters' groundbreaking collection of spoken epitaphs, exposing hidden truths and societal variances in American life. Explore themes of hypocrisy and class conflict through vivid storytelling in free verse.

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Edgar Lee Masters

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  1. Edgar Lee Masters

  2. Edgar Lee Masters (1868-1950) • Born in Garnett, Kansas in 1869. • Midwest; Corn Belt • Wrote in free verse • Spare, simple, plain

  3. 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

  4. 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?

  5. “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.

  6. “Lucinda Matlock” • “It takes life to love Life.” • Life (vitality, energy) vs. Life

  7. “‘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."

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