Journal #13

Journal #13 – Edgar Lee Masters Epitaphs (p. 502)

Read “George Gray” and “Lucinda Matlock” and answer the following questions.


1. What object symbolizes George Gray’s life? How is this object representative of him?
The object that symbolizes Goeorge’s life is a boat. George spent his life in fear. He shrank from love, was afraid of sorrow, and dreaded ambition. He should have lifted his sail and embraced all these things while he was alive. A furled ship usually represents destination and should represent his life. But this furled ship is not what he wanted. He wishes the boat was unfurled because he did not do things with his life and come back home to rest in piece like a furled boat represents. He was hungry for life but to afraid to go get it.



2. How was Lucinda Matlock’s life different than George Gray’s? How do you interepret the last line of the poem?
Lucinda is almost the opposite of George. She had a very active and happy life. She wanted to celebrate life rather than be afraid of it. She had children, a husband, and many happy memories. Her life was not all good but she does not dwell on the negatives, she rather embraces what she has. She invested a lot into life and got a lot out of it. Her last statement is to those like George Gray who are angry an full of discontent. She tells them it takes good and bad things to appreciate our lives. You must have energy or spirit and invest yourself in your life to love Life.


3. How are “George Gray” and “Lucinda Matlock” examples of realism?
They both are examples of realism because they are both very ordinary lives even thought they are completely different. Life is a mixture of good times and bad times and all those times in these epitaphs are examples of realism.