Spoon River Anthology

by Edgar Lee Masters

"Spoon River Anthology" by Edgar Lee Masters is a collection of free verse poems published in 1915. Set in a fictional small town, the work presents 244 epitaphs spoken by the dead themselves from beyond the grave. Each resident reveals their true story—their turning points, secrets, and real manner of death—without facades or fear of consequence. Through cross-references between characters, their testimonies weave together a candid portrait of small-town American life, exposing hidden relationships, buried scandals, and the stark realities beneath the surface of respectability.