Spoon River Anthology · Chapter
Elliott Hawkins explained
Elliott Hawkins, a man who resembled Abraham Lincoln, reflects on his life as a respected but manipulative figure in Spoon River.
What happens
Elliott Hawkins, a man who resembled Abraham Lincoln, reflects on his life as a respected but manipulative figure in Spoon River. He presents himself as a champion of property, order, and the Union, while secretly working as a lobbyist to protect railroad interests and prevent legislative raids. Despite whispers of corruption, he died wealthy and honored, with a stone epitaph quoting 'Of such is the Kingdom of Heaven.' He contrasts his success with the silence of those who fought for reform and died forgotten.
Themes in this chapter
Hypocrisy and Corruption
Hawkins presents himself as a moral pillar while secretly working as a lobbyist for railroads, revealing the hypocrisy behind his public image.
Class and Power
Hawkins wields economic and political power to protect property and order, suppressing dissent and labor movements like the Knights of Labor.
Death and Legacy
Hawkins contrasts his triumphant career and ornate epitaph with the silence of reformers who died without recognition, questioning the value of their sacrifice.
Characters to notice
- Elliott Hawkins
The speaker who compares himself to Abraham Lincoln and boasts of his influence as a lobbyist for railroads.
Key passages
“I looked like Abraham Lincoln. I was one of you, Spoon River, in all fellowship, But standing for the rights of property and for order.”
I resembled Abraham Lincoln and was a fellow citizen of Spoon River, yet I always defended property rights and social order.
Hawkins uses his resemblance to Lincoln to claim moral authority while aligning with conservative interests.
“A regular visitor at Springfield When the Legislature was in session To prevent raids upon the railroads, And the men building up the state.”
I frequently went to Springfield during legislative sessions to block any attempts to regulate the railroads and the businessmen developing the state.
Hawkins admits to lobbying against railroad regulation, revealing his behind-the-scenes influence.
“And now, you world-savers, who reaped nothing in life And in death have neither stones nor epitaphs, How do you like your silence from mouths stopped With the dust of my triumphant career?”
Now, you reformers who gained nothing in life and have no tombstones or inscriptions in death, how do you enjoy your enforced silence, buried under the dust of my successful life?
Hawkins taunts those who fought for change, implying their efforts were futile compared to his lasting success.