Spoon River Anthology · Chapter
Washington McNeely explained
Washington McNeely reflects on his life of wealth and honor, raising his children in a grand mansion.
What happens
Washington McNeely reflects on his life of wealth and honor, raising his children in a grand mansion. Despite his success, his children face tragedy and disgrace, and he spends his final years alone under a cedar tree, contemplating loss and mortality.
Themes in this chapter
Death and Legacy
Washington McNeely's children suffer various fates—disgrace, death, divorce—undermining his legacy and leading him to contemplate mortality under the cedar tree.
Unfulfilled Lives and Repression
Despite his riches and honors, McNeely's children lead broken or unfulfilled lives, and he himself ends his days in solitude, suggesting a deep sense of unfulfillment.
Characters to notice
- Washington McNeely
The speaker and subject of the chapter, a wealthy and honored man who reflects on his life and the fates of his children.
Key passages
“I sent all the boys to Ann Arbor, all of the girls to Rockford, The while my life went on, getting more riches and honors— Resting under my cedar tree at evening.”
I provided my sons with education at the University of Michigan and my daughters with schooling at Rockford Seminary, all while I continued to accumulate wealth and prestige, relaxing under my cedar tree in the evenings.
Highlights McNeely's pride in his children's education and his own material success.
“But John fled the country in disgrace. Jenny died in child-birth— I sat under my cedar tree. Harry killed himself after a debauch, Susan was divorced— I sat under my cedar tree.”
John left the nation in shame, Jenny died during childbirth, Harry committed suicide after a bout of heavy drinking, and Susan got divorced—through all these tragedies, I remained seated under my cedar tree.
Emphasizes the contrast between McNeely's passive endurance and the series of family disasters.
“O maternal Earth, which rocks the fallen leaf to sleep!”
Oh nurturing Earth, who gently lulls the fallen leaf into its final rest!
A poignant closing metaphor for death as a peaceful return to nature.