Spoon River Anthology · Chapter
Nicholas Bindle explained
Nicholas Bindle, from beyond the grave, rebukes the townspeople for their hypocrisy.
What happens
Nicholas Bindle, from beyond the grave, rebukes the townspeople for their hypocrisy. He recalls how they pressured him to give generously to the church and the poor, only to mock him when his estate proved modest. He bitterly notes that the pipe organ he donated played at the christening of Deacon Rhodes, the man who financially ruined him yet was welcomed back to worship after a legal acquittal.
Themes in this chapter
Hypocrisy and Corruption
The townspeople's demand for generosity while secretly judging Bindle's modest estate, and the church's embrace of the corrupt Deacon Rhodes, exemplify communal hypocrisy.
Love and Betrayal
Bindle feels betrayed by those he supported, especially the church that honored his ruiner.
Characters to notice
- Nicholas Bindle
The speaker, a deceased man who feels betrayed by the community that hounded him for donations while he was alive.
- Thomas Rhodes
Deacon Rhodes, who broke and all but ruined Nicholas Bindle, yet was celebrated in church after his acquittal.
Key passages
“Were you not ashamed, fellow citizens, When my estate was probated and everyone knew How small a fortune I left?”
Aren't you embarrassed, townspeople, when my will was made public and you saw how little money I had?
Bindle shames the community for judging his wealth after death.
“And think you not I did not know That the pipe-organ, which I gave to the church, Played its christening songs when Deacon Rhodes, Who broke and all but ruined me, Worshipped for the first time after his acquittal?”
Do you think I was unaware that the organ I donated played at the baptism celebration when Deacon Rhodes—the man who financially destroyed me—first attended church after being found not guilty?
Bindle exposes the irony of his gift being used to honor his enemy.