Edgar Lee Masters “Richard Bone”

What did you observe?

How do you write an obituary notice?

Edgar Lee Masters

epitaph: a phrase or statement written in memory of a person who has died, especially as an inscription on a tombstone.

p. 664

Richard BoneEdgar Lee Masters

When I first came to Spoon RiverI did not know whether what they told meWas true or false.They would bring me the epitaphAnd stand around the shop while I workedAnd say “He was so kind,” “He was wonderful,”“She was the sweetest woman,” “He was a consistent Christian.”And I chiseled for them whatever they wished,All in ignorance of its truth.But later, as I lived among the people here,I knew how near to the lifeWere the epitaphs that were ordered for them as they died.But still I chiseled whatever they paid me to chiseland made myself party to the false chroniclesOf the stones,Even as the historian does who writesWithout knowing the truth,Or because he is influenced to hide it.

p. 670

Review and Assess1. Respond: What is your opinion of Richard

Bone after reading this poem? Explain.2. (a) Recall: What is Richard Bone’s

occupation?(b) Infer: What does he learn after years in Spoon River?(c) Speculate: Does his attitude change? If so, how?

3. (a) Interpret: Why does Bone think the epitaphs are “false chronicles”? (b) Speculate: Why do you think the townspeople compose such epitaphs for their loved ones?

4. Analyze: Explain why Bone might compare a tombstone carver to a historian.

5. Apply: Do you think Bone played an important role in Spoon River? Support your answer.

p. 670

Richard BoneEdgar Lee Masters

When I first came to Spoon RiverI did not know whether what they told meWas true or false.

p. 670

Richard BoneEdgar Lee Masters

When I first came to Spoon RiverI did not know whether what they told meWas true or false.They would bring me the epitaphAnd stand around the shop while I workedAnd say “He was so kind,” “He was wonderful,”“She was the sweetest woman,” “He was a consistent Christian.”

p. 670

Richard BoneEdgar Lee Masters

When I first came to Spoon RiverI did not know whether what they told meWas true or false.They would bring me the epitaphAnd stand around the shop while I workedAnd say “He was so kind,” “He was wonderful,”“She was the sweetest woman,” “He was a consistent Christian.”And I chiseled for them whatever they wished,All in ignorance of its truth.

p. 670

Richard BoneEdgar Lee Masters

When I first came to Spoon RiverI did not know whether what they told meWas true or false.They would bring me the epitaphAnd stand around the shop while I workedAnd say “He was so kind,” “He was wonderful,”“She was the sweetest woman,” “He was a consistent Christian.”And I chiseled for them whatever they wished,All in ignorance of its truth.But later, as I lived among the people here,I knew how near to the lifeWere the epitaphs that were ordered for them as they died.

p. 670

Richard BoneEdgar Lee Masters

But still I chiseled whatever they paid me to chisel

p. 670

Richard BoneEdgar Lee Masters

But still I chiseled whatever they paid me to chiseland made myself party to the false chroniclesOf the stones,

p. 670

Richard BoneEdgar Lee Masters

But still I chiseled whatever they paid me to chiseland made myself party to the false chroniclesOf the stones,Even as the historian does who writesWithout knowing the truth,

p. 670

Richard BoneEdgar Lee Masters

But still I chiseled whatever they paid me to chiseland made myself party to the false chroniclesOf the stones,Even as the historian does who writesWithout knowing the truth, Or because he is influenced to hide it.

p. 670

Review and Assess1. Respond: What is your opinion of Richard

Bone after reading this poem? Explain.2. (a) Recall: What is Richard Bone’s

occupation?(b) Infer: What does he learn after years in Spoon River?(c) Speculate: Does his attitude change? If so, how?

3. (a) Interpret: Why does Bone think the epitaphs are “false chronicles”? (b) Speculate: Why do you think the townspeople compose such epitaphs for their loved ones?

4. Analyze: Explain why Bone might compare a tombstone carver to a historian.

5. Apply: Do you think Bone played an important role in Spoon River? Support your answer.

p. 670

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