“Fellow citizens, we cannot escape history” (Lincoln 537). This popular statement
made by Abraham Lincoln represents a universal truth. Edgar Lee Masters’ work Spoon River
Anthology strongly sticks to this idea. The collection of poems illustrates the point of view of
deceased citizens contemplating about their lives in the fictional town Spoon River. Many
late-citizens are fictional while some others, like William H. Herndon, Hannah Armstrong and
Anne Rutledge, have clear similarities to real persons. It will be shown that Masters borrowed
the concepts of these three characters from history and that Abraham Lincoln is the link
between reality and fiction.
Table of Contents
1. William H. Herndon
2. Hannah Armstrong
3. Anne Rutledge
Objectives and Themes
This paper examines how Edgar Lee Masters integrates historical figures into his work "Spoon River Anthology" by analyzing the fictional representations of William H. Herndon, Hannah Armstrong, and Anne Rutledge in relation to their real-life counterparts, with a central focus on the unifying influence of Abraham Lincoln.
- The intersection of reality and fiction in literary character development
- Abraham Lincoln's role as a bridge between historical truth and poetic narrative
- Comparative analysis of historical biographies versus poetic epitaphs
- The enduring impact of personal connections with Lincoln on fictional portrayals
Excerpt from the Book
William H. Herndon
The first fictional character who shares not only a name but also the same history with a real person is William H. Herndon. The protagonist claims that he “saw a man arise from the soil” who at last becomes the “head of the republic” (Masters 291). As well as the speaker in the poem, the real William H. Herndon was able to see Lincoln’s rise from the bottom of society to presidency. The Lincoln biographer Stephen B. Oates affirms that he lived in Springfield, Illinois during the mid nineteenth century and Lincoln made the young and ambitious man his law partner in 1844 (73-74). In Masters’ work Herndon speaks very affectionate about Lincoln as “the fabled giant”, the “Master of great armies / head of the republic” (Masters 291). Considering the fact that Lincoln was nine years older than the real Herndon and his role model, it is no wonder that the poem’s protagonist also admires Lincoln (Oates 71-72). In the last two lines the protagonist laments that he is “alone” (Masters 291), as well as the real William H. Herndon must have lamented after the tragic loss of his partner because “deep down, he loved the man” (Oates 71-75). Masters merely projected what must have been the real Herndon’s feelings onto his alter ego’s epitaph. Apparently, both lives were essentially altered by Abraham Lincoln as well as both lives offer a coherent bond between reality and fiction.
Summary of Chapters
William H. Herndon: This chapter analyzes how the poet reflects the real-life professional and personal relationship between the protagonist and Abraham Lincoln.
Hannah Armstrong: This chapter explores the similarities and discrepancies between the poem's depiction of a plea for help and the historical legal assistance Lincoln provided to the Armstrong family.
Anne Rutledge: This chapter examines the romanticized literary portrayal of Ann Rutledge compared to historical evidence regarding her relationship with Lincoln.
Keywords
Spoon River Anthology, Edgar Lee Masters, Abraham Lincoln, William H. Herndon, Hannah Armstrong, Anne Rutledge, Reality, Fiction, Literature, Biography, History, American Literature, Faction, Poetry, Springfield.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary subject of this academic paper?
The paper explores the influence of Abraham Lincoln on specific characters found in Edgar Lee Masters' "Spoon River Anthology" and how historical reality informs these fictionalized portraits.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
The central themes include the boundary between historical fact and literary fiction, the impact of personal association with a major historical figure, and the comparative study of historical versus poetic narrative.
What is the research goal of the analysis?
The goal is to demonstrate that Abraham Lincoln serves as the connecting link between reality and fiction for three specific characters in the anthology.
Which methodology is applied in this study?
The author uses a comparative approach, contrasting biographical data from historians like Stephen B. Oates with the poetic epitaphs written by Edgar Lee Masters.
What content is covered in the main body?
The main body examines three distinct characters: William H. Herndon, Hannah Armstrong, and Anne Rutledge, analyzing how their fictional epitaphs mirror their actual historical experiences with Lincoln.
Which keywords characterize this study?
Key terms include "Spoon River Anthology," "Abraham Lincoln," "faction," "literary analysis," and the names of the three featured historical figures.
How does the author characterize the relationship between Lincoln and William H. Herndon?
The author highlights their professional bond as law partners and the deep personal admiration Herndon felt for Lincoln, which is mirrored in the poem's sorrowful tone.
Does the paper conclude that the poem's portrayal of Anne Rutledge is historically accurate?
No, the paper notes that while the poem presents a legendary romantic connection, historians find little evidence to support the claim that she was the "beloved" in Lincoln's life.
What detail about Hannah Armstrong's son is used to bridge the gap between poetry and reality?
The author points out that while the poem names the son "Doug," the real son was named William but nicknamed "Duff," illustrating a similarity that reinforces the connection to reality.
What does the author imply about the nature of "faction" in the work?
The author implies that "faction"—a blend of fact and fiction—is a deliberate literary device used by Masters to ground his poems in a recognizable historical context.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Kay Unbehaun (Autor:in), 2010, Abraham Lincoln’s impact on Spoon River Anthology, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/171621
