Spoon River Anthology · Chapter
Jonas Keene explained
Jonas Keene reflects on the inexplicable suicide of Albert Schirding, a man who seemingly had everything—means, honor, and wonderful children—and contrasts it with his own despair over his children's failures, culminating in his own self-de
What happens
Jonas Keene reflects on the inexplicable suicide of Albert Schirding, a man who seemingly had everything—means, honor, and wonderful children—and contrasts it with his own despair over his children's failures, culminating in his own self-destructive act of walking in the rain and refusing medical aid.
Themes in this chapter
Unfulfilled Lives and Repression
Jonas Keene's despair stems from his children's failure to achieve conventional success, contrasting with Albert Schirding's apparent fulfillment.
Death and Legacy
The chapter explores suicide as a response to perceived failure and the legacy of one's children.
Characters to notice
- Jonas Keene
The speaker who laments his children's lack of success and recounts his own suicidal behavior.
Key passages
“Why did Albert Schirding kill himself Trying to be County Superintendent of Schools, Blest as he was with the means of life And wonderful children, bringing him honor Ere he was sixty?”
Why would a man with financial security, a loving family, and professional respect choose to end his life before reaching old age?
Jonas Keene questions the motive behind a seemingly successful man's suicide.
“If even one of my boys could have run a news-stand, Or one of my girls could have married a decent man, I should not have walked in the rain And jumped into bed with clothes all wet, Refusing medical aid.”
If just one of my children had achieved even modest success, I wouldn't have deliberately exposed myself to illness and refused treatment.
Jonas Keene links his children's failures to his own self-destructive act.