Seth Compton by Edgar Lee Masters
The speaker reflects on their life and contributions to the community, particularly through the establishment of a circulating library that aimed to enrich the intellectual landscape of Spoon River. Upon their death, the library is auctioned off, symbolizing the erasure of their influence and the community's disregard for a broader understanding of knowledge. The speaker addresses the villagers, who prioritize conventional wisdom and shun the exploration of complex ideas, including the darker aspects of existence. They lament the villagers' inability to appreciate the value of understanding both good and evil, asserting that true knowledge requires a comprehensive grasp of both. The speaker ultimately resigns to the villagers' choices, emphasizing the limitations of their perspective and the importance of a more nuanced understanding of morality and truth. The work encapsulates themes of intellectualism, the struggle against societal norms, and the quest for deeper understanding in a community resistant to complexity.
By Edgar Lee Masters · First published 1916 · Genre: Poetry, Literary Fiction, Philosophical · 199 words
First lines
When I died, the circulating library Which I built up for Spoon River, And managed for the good of inquiring minds, Was sold at auction on the public square, As if to destroy the last vestige Of my memory and influence.
For those of you who could not see the virtue Of knowing Volney's Ruins as well as Butler's Analogy And Faust as well as Evangeline, Were really the power in the village, And often you asked me, "What is the use of knowing the evil in the world?"
I am out of your way now, Spoon River, Choose your own good and call it good.
For I could never make you see That no one knows what is good Who knows not what is evil;
What this Textopian page supports
Seth Compton 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, Philosophical, Historical, Social Commentary
- Length: 199 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse and employs poetic devices, focusing on themes of memory and knowledge.
- Literary Fiction — The narrative explores complex themes and character introspection, typical of literary fiction.
- Philosophical — The text delves into philosophical questions about good, evil, truth, and knowledge.
- Historical — The setting and context reflect historical elements of small-town life and intellectual discourse.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · Free Verse · Symbolism · Psychological Insight · Character Study · Social Commentary · Critique of Society · Human Nature · Emotional Depth · Inner Turmoil · Existential Crisis