Edgar Lee Masters created an all-encompassing, yet simplistic collection of words filled with intricate thought and detail regarding human behavior, evolution, reality, and choices titled Spoon River Anthology in 1916. In this work, there is a fictional family named the McNeely’s. All of the characters in Spoon River Anthology are unique in their own respective ways, but something in particular about the McNeely family evokes intense emotion to those who read about them.
It is evident from the beginning that the father figure, Washington McNeely (99.), is wealthy. First-person perspective gives us a glimpse into how Masters perceived whomever the character was originally based off of. The character, Washington, believes he is “honored by his fellow citizens” (99. ln 1). Initially, the background of the character portrayal could be interpreted as childish, selfish, or possibly even successful. Context is vital here because we know this character was born into wealth, into a large estate, and in an isolated area.
The poem then goes on to speak about the different paths his children ended up on; what’s significant to note is that these admittances are in Washington McNeely’s perceptions and words. His choice of what he included to share regarding why his children ended up where they did evades us, as readers. Focusing on negativity, when speaking about the dead or living, bleeds into other areas you previously thought were unaffected. It has the ability to control human life.
I believe it shows in a sense in the way Washington remembers his children’s lives. He most likely deems his boys, whom he lent money to start their business, as broken – “They were strong children, promising as apples / before the bitten places show” (99. ln 13-14). It is fascinating to me, the use of the word ‘show’ and not ‘showed’ indicates the showing will always continue. The cedar tree he sits below is significant because it is a constant in this character’s life; and from what else he has written, many things are ever-changing. It is apparent that from the beginning, Washington was fixating on what he has done for others and the lack of what others have done for him. He gleams positivity when talking about not only sitting under his cedar tree frequently, but also when he reminisces on his perception of the way he was raised.
Washington was most likely raised to believe that the way it seemed was more important than the details of what actually happened and how it made the individuals involved feel. The individual stories regarding his children, such as his son, Harry, killing himself “after a debauch” (99. ln 18) are spoken about with such ease and acceptance; as if it is solely relevant and a matter of fact. When he speaks about Mary, he is rather gentle with his choice of words; as if he understands the reasoning or logic behind Mary’s choice. Love is complex, and Mary became a recluse for just that (99. ln 22). Is there something we shouldn’t do for love?
The judgment involved when referencing his children is a major theme throughout the poem. His love, while seemingly conditional, was justified and true in his eyes and his eyes only. Near the end, when Masters mentions that his wife was taken, he doesn’t expand any further (99. ln 26), He doesn’t have to elaborate or clarify because that must be a topic that is either unapproachable or foreign for him to understand how he feels about it. Relationships are complex; not everyone is set up to easily identify and acknowledge their feelings.
Washington McNeely survived sitting under his cedar tree until he was ninety years old (99. ln 28). He relates his mother’s presence or touch to that of Earth, as he compares his late death to a leaf that has fallen and can finally fall asleep (99. ln 29). Much of the writing – hatred, omission, and proudness – stems from his own mixed feelings about himself. We, as humans, have an abundance of emotions on a large scale and are inevitably imperfect. Some people can’t live with the pain. It was important for Washington to succeed in his perspective in life. It was also important for his children to succeed in his perspective in life.
In conclusion, there are many ways we could break down the character Washington McNeely. The McNeely Family was Washington McNeely; especially if we were to ask Washington McNeely. The question how was not mentioned, because he deemed it to be irrelevant. What’s important to him was sitting under his cedar tree, and the longevity of doing such. His actions were mentioned, if positive, and no clarification necessary. It is as if it has always been what he says goes. It makes me wonder what having a noble mother means to Washington; as well as why he didn’t mention his own father.
written by Corey M. Rose during the toughest part of his life.
Why Fire Burns 