“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.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Abraham Lincoln's impact on Spoon River Anthology
- William H. Herndon
- Hannah Armstrong
- Anne Rutledge
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper analyzes the relationship between reality and fiction in Edgar Lee Masters' Spoon River Anthology. Specifically, it examines how Masters borrowed real-life figures, particularly those connected to Abraham Lincoln, and incorporated them into his fictional town of Spoon River.
- The relationship between reality and fiction in literary works.
- The influence of historical figures on fictional characters.
- The impact of Abraham Lincoln on American culture and literature.
- The use of historical events and figures in fictional narratives.
- The portrayal of real-life individuals in literature.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- The first chapter explores the character of William H. Herndon, who in the poem, like his real-life counterpart, witnesses Lincoln's rise to power. The chapter analyzes the similarities between the fictional character and the real-life figure, highlighting their shared admiration for Lincoln.
- The second chapter examines the character of Hannah Armstrong, who in the poem, like her real-life counterpart, seeks Lincoln's help for her son. The chapter analyzes the parallels between the fictional and real-life narratives, highlighting the shared experiences of both women with Lincoln.
- The third chapter focuses on the character of Anne Rutledge, whose fictional counterpart in the poem shares a similar tragic history with the real-life figure. The chapter analyzes the similarities between the fictional and real-life narratives, highlighting the enduring legend of Anne Rutledge as Lincoln's love interest.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This paper explores the interplay of reality and fiction in literature, focusing on the influence of Abraham Lincoln on Edgar Lee Masters' Spoon River Anthology. Key concepts include historical figures, fictional characters, biographical elements, narrative techniques, and the impact of historical events on literary works. This examination provides insights into the ways authors draw from real-life experiences and figures to create fictional narratives.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Kay Unbehaun (Autor:in), 2010, Abraham Lincoln’s impact on Spoon River Anthology, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/171621
