Cooney Potter by Edgar Lee Masters
The poem presents the life of a man who reflects on his relentless pursuit of land and wealth. He begins by recounting his inheritance of forty acres from his father and the subsequent expansion of his holdings to a thousand acres through hard work alongside his family. His ambition drives him to desire even more land, leading him to toil incessantly with little regard for personal or familial well-being. The speaker's dedication to farming and land acquisition is portrayed as a double-edged sword. While he achieves material success, it comes at the cost of his health and family life. He dismisses the notion that his demise was due to smoking cigars, instead attributing it to the grueling demands of harvest time, where he neglects self-care in favor of labor. The narrative captures themes of ambition, sacrifice, and the consequences of relentless pursuit. The speaker's life is marked by a singular focus on material gain, ultimately leading to an early death. The poem serves as a critique of the American Dream, highlighting the toll that such aspirations can take on individuals and their families. The speaker's legacy is one of hard work and ambition, but also of regret and loss, as he reflects on the true cost of his endeavors.
By Edgar Lee Masters · First published 1916 · Genre: Poetry, Literary Fiction, Realism · 132 words
First lines
I inherited forty acres from my Father And, by working my wife, my two sons and two daughters From dawn to dusk, I acquired A thousand acres. But not content, Wishing to own two thousand acres, I bustled through the years with axe and plow, Toiling, denying myself, my wife, my sons, my daughters.
Squire Higbee wrongs me to say That I died from smoking Red Eagle cigars.
Eating hot pie and gulping coffee During the scorching hours of harvest time Brought me here ere I had reached my sixtieth year.
What this Textopian page supports
Cooney Potter is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edgar Lee Masters, dated 1916 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Edgar Lee Masters
- Date: 1916 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Literary Fiction, Realism, Narrative Poetry, Historical Fiction
- Length: 132 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices and structure.
- Literary Fiction — The themes explore personal ambition, family dynamics, and the human condition.
- Realism — The portrayal of rural life and the struggles of farming reflect realistic social conditions.
- Narrative Poetry — The poem tells a story through the speaker's reflections on life and death.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · Symbolism · Psychological Insight · Character Study · Free Verse · Modernism · Stream-of-Consciousness · Inner Monologue · Social Commentary · Critique of Society · Human Nature