"Spoon River Anthology"

"The Spoon River Anthology" is quite extensive, but adequately provides various examples of Realism, especially considering the fact that it is a diverse collection of poems from the "dead." These photos reference historical, social, and cultural aspects of the United States. Although it is quite known for being creative, there are aspects dispersed throughout that give it certain characteristics of Realism. Ultimately, it is labeled in Realism because it undoubtedly collects relates to various aspects of American society and reality, all while presenting them to the reader in a simplistic and poetic structure (Campbell).

In the excerpt "Hod Putt," the poet establishes the lives of two dead individuals, one were hung for theft and murder (Masters). This an adequate example of the minor historical aspects dispersed throughout the poems of "Spoon River Anthology." It seems provide examples of how poems focus on characters, usually neighboring corpses, and therefore displaying the aspect of Realism; placing emphasis on characters above everything else (Campbell).

Most of these characters appear to be member of the middle class, which is again, another common theme of Realism (Campbell). The characters tell their tales in the poems through first person and with their natural vernacular and diction, adding more to the effects of Realism (Campbell). The lines of the poem from "Isa Nutter" show some of the natural vernacular - "Right up to the day I sneaked up to Peoria, and married Minnie in spite of them, and why do yo wonder my will was made for the best and purest of women?" (Masters "Isa").

Because of the vast amount of diverse characters who "compose" the poetry, there are many different outlooks into personalities and human nature. An example of this is the poem from "Fiddler Jones". In this poem, a man tells us about his life where his true passion lied in music and fiddling rather than tilling and plowing his land (Masters). He ends up with a broken fiddle, but says he has no regrets (Masters). This is very revealing of human nature because it shows that you should pursue your real passion, and enjoy life that way. It also reveals that everyone is different and their interests are diverse. Similarlily, the collection of these poems is interesting because they portray the different roles that make up the society and culture of the people in Spoon River, and in doing so portray more Realism (Diamond). There are many different types of people; one can see this even by just glancing at some of the names of poems through out the analogy such as "Doc Hill," "Andy the Night-Watch," "Theodore the Poet," "Sexsmith the Dentist," and "Penniwit the Artist" (Masters). Collectively, these are composed as a very lengthy, but creative and effective work of literature that depict a sufficient amount about Realism through beautiful free verses. It is clear to observe the diversities that lie in American culture by looking at some of the individual writings by the "poets".

Campbell, Donna M. "Realism in American Literature, 1860-1890." Literary Movements. Dept. of English, Washington State University. 21 Mar 2010. Web. 26 Jan 2011.

Diamond, Marie Josephine, ed. "realism." Encyclopedia of World Writers, 19th and 20th Centuries. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2003. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=5&iPin= GEWW480&SingleRecord=True (accessed February 16, 2011).

Masters, Edgar Lee. "Fiddler Jones." Spoon River Anthology. Bartleby: Great Books Online. 2011. Online. http://www.bartleby.com/84/index.html. February 15, 2011.

Masters, Edgar Lee. "Hod Putt." Spoon River Anthology. Bartleby: Great Books Online. 2011. Online. http://www.bartleby.com/84/index.html. February 15, 2011.

Masters, Edgar Lee. "Isa Nutter." Spoon River Anthology. Bartleby: Great Books Online. 2011. Online. http://www.bartleby.com/84/index.html. February 15, 2011.

Masters, Edgar L. ""Spoon River Anthology" (or Excerpts From)." American Literature. Comp. Jeffrey D. Wilhelm, Douglas Fisher, Beverly A. Chin, and Jacqueline J. Royster. Columbus: Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, 2009. 514-17. Print.