“We are all connected to everyone and everything in the universe”. Therefore, everything one does as an individual affects the whole,” -Serge King. The belief that everyone is connected is vividly illustrated in the town of Spoon River. In Spoon River Anthology, the author, Edgar Lee Masters, writes a collection of epitaphs illustrating the lives of the people of the town’s citizens. Through a series of climatic stories, the epitaphs reveal secrets and other hidden truths concerning the members of the Spoon River. Through these secrets, the connections between people and one another are revealed. The connections and relationships people make with one another drive them to death. The people in Spoon River Anthology are connected by a multitude …show more content…
She grew up with an emotionally abusive father and falls for the manipulative affection of Butch Weldy. She says “I thirsted so for love, I hungered so for life!” (Lines 11/12). Minerva grew up in a household where she was consistently overlooked and ignored. This left her with a great desire to be loved by someone. Targeting her weakness’ Butch’s manipulation towards Minvera was to convince her he cared for her, so she believed his lies. As an outcome of her experiences with being bullied, her choice to deliberately end her pregnancy fails, and leads to her demise. Reuben Pantier, a young man, faces a similar fate. He falls in love with his maid teacher, Emily Sparks, and ultimately leaves her because of the desire to pursue other women. When he realizes his mistake he says, “For thought of her conquest was over me. But my soul was three thousand miles away,” (Line 16/17). Upon realizing his mistake, Reuben acknowledges that his true connection was always with Emily. When pursuing other women, he talks about the thoughts of Emily constantly running through his head. He deceives other women when his persistent thoughts of Emily cloud his