# Penniwit, the Artist explained — Spoon River Anthology

> Chapter companion for Spoon River Anthology by Edgar Lee Masters.

## What happens

Penniwit laments losing his patronage in Spoon River because he tried to capture the soul of his subjects through his camera. His best photograph was of Judge Somers, whom he caught in a characteristic pose by shouting 'overruled' to trigger the judge's distinctive expression.

## Themes in this chapter

### Illusion vs. Reality

Penniwit's attempt to capture the soul through photography contrasts with the staged, artificial pose of Judge Somers.

## Character check-ins

### Judge Somers

Subject of Penniwit's best photograph, captured mid-exception with his characteristic cross-eye.

## Key lines

> I lost my patronage in Spoon River From trying to put my mind in the camera To catch the soul of the person.

I lost my customers because I tried to photograph people's inner selves.

_Penniwit's artistic ambition cost him his livelihood._

> And I yell, 'overruled' and his eye turned up. And I caught him just as he used to look When saying 'I except.'

I shouted 'overruled' and his eye rolled up, capturing his typical expression when he would say 'I except.'

_Penniwit used a verbal cue to trigger Judge Somers's courtroom demeanor._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/spoon_river_anthology_se/chapters/penniwit-the-artist
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/spoon_river_anthology_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/spoon_river_anthology_se/chapters