One hundred years ago, Edgar Lee Masters published Spoon River Anthology, and scandal ensued. To this day, no other literary work from Illinois has had a more radical impact. “Spoon River Anthology” will be presented free of charge at Morrison United Methodist Church, 200 W. Lincolnway, Morrison, IL, on Sunday, September 13, 2015, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. A question and answer session will follow.
In Masters’ thinly-veiled epitaph poems, people from all walks of life rise from their graves and share compelling stories of their hopes, dreams, tragedies, and joys–as well as their advice and warnings to those still living! The town banker and the newspaper editor bare their souls; poets and soldiers speak their minds; women feel no need to be polite; corruption is exposed. The relationships between the characters give added meaning to the epitaphs.
The book caused an uproar because of its unique free verse style and its portrayal of characters (based on people Masters knew growing up in Petersburg, and Lewistown, IL,) with blunt, brutal honesty. As a result, it was banned from the Spoon River area schools and libraries until 1974.
This event is being produced in part by the Illinois Humanities Council’s Road Scholars Speakers Bureau, a program that provides organizations Statewide with affordable, entertaining, and thought-provoking humanities events for their communities. A roster of speakers from 16 different towns and cities across Illinois present topics in history, culture, literature, music, politics, law, science, and many more.
Mallory Laurel, the IHC’s coordinator for the program, states, “The contagious passion our speakers have for their topics is what makes this program so dynamic and appealing. We don’t need to change lives; we just want audiences to feel curious again.”
Actors Jon and Paddy Lynn, at right above, deliver the poignant and sardonic monologues. Accomplished folk musician Patti Ecker, left, provides appropriate and moving musical interludes. This talented trio, based in the Chicago, IL, suburbs, works together and separately to perform dramatic and musical programs.
Dana Smith, Marketing and Tourism Coordinator in Canton, IL, wrote, “I had never seen Spoon River Anthology performed before, and Paddy, Jon, and Patti were stunning at making each character become real, and flawed, and courageous, and wonderful–all at the same time.”
This program is part of the fall life-long learning series sponsored by Odell Public Library and the Odell Public Library Friends. It is free and open to the public. Please mark your calendars for Sunday, September 13, at 4:00 p.m. at United Methodist Church. For more information, visit the Odell Public Library Facebook page or call 815-772-7323.
The Illinois Humanities Council is an independent, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, dedicated to fostering a culture in which the humanities are a vital part of the lives of individuals and communities. The IHC creates programs and funds organizations that promote greater understanding of, appreciation for, and involvement in the humanities by all Illinoisans, regardless of their economic resources, cultural background, or geographic location. The IHC is supported by State, Federal, and private funds.