Mrs. Merritt by Edgar Lee Masters
The narrative centers on a woman reflecting on her life and the consequences of a tragic event that led to her imprisonment. She recounts the moment when her lover, a much younger man, committed murder, resulting in her husband's death. Despite her attempts to distance herself from the situation, she feels the weight of societal judgment and guilt. The woman grapples with the perception of her culpability, as the jury and the public view her as responsible for inciting her lover's violent act. Throughout her thirty years in prison, she remains silent, unable to articulate her innocence or the complexities of her emotions. The narrative explores themes of love, betrayal, and the harsh realities of judgment, both from society and within herself. The protagonist's reflections reveal her internal struggle with the consequences of her desires and the tragic outcome that ensued. Ultimately, she emerges from prison, not as a free woman, but as a figure marked by her past, symbolized by her exit in a coffin, highlighting the permanence of her punishment and the loss of her former life. The work delves into the intricacies of human relationships and the often-unforgiving nature of societal norms.
By Edgar Lee Masters · First published 1916 · Genre: Poetry, Drama, Literary Fiction · 172 words
First lines
Silent before the jury, Returning no word to the judge when he asked me If I had aught to say against the sentence, Only shaking my head.
What could I say to people who thought That a woman of thirty-five was at fault When her lover of nineteen killed her husband?
Even though she had said to him over and over, "Go away, Elmer, go far away, I have maddened your brain with the gift of my body:
You will do some terrible thing."
What this Textopian page supports
Mrs. Merritt is listed on Textopian as a short story 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: Short story
- Author: Edgar Lee Masters
- Date: 1916 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Drama, Literary Fiction, Tragedy, Historical Fiction
- Length: 172 words
- Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for Mrs. Merritt by Edgar Lee Masters
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices and structure.
- Drama — The narrative presents a dramatic monologue, focusing on intense emotional conflict and moral dilemmas.
- Literary Fiction — The themes explore complex human emotions, societal judgment, and personal tragedy, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Tragedy — The plot centers on a tragic event involving love, betrayal, and the consequences of actions.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · Symbolism · Psychological Insight · Character Study · Domestic Life · Marriage · Relationships · Social Commentary · Realism · Free Verse · Stream-of-Consciousness