Journal #13

Journal #13 – Edgar Lee Masters Epitaphs (p. 502)

Read “George Gray” and “Lucinda Matlock” and answer the following questions.


1. What object symbolizes George Gray’s life? How is this object representative of him?

The boat with the furled sail represents his life. His sail was not opened and his boat left at the harbor, so he didn’t take chances that he could have. He ship didn’t ‘set sail’ so he missed his opportunity on love and missed out on his ambitions. If he had unfurled his sail and let it take him where destiny wanted to then his life would have had more meaning. Because his sail was furled, his life didn’t have any meaning and he didn’t take any chances that he should have to of had a more fulfilled life. Don’t let your fear overcome your desire.





2. How was Lucinda Matlock’s life different than George Gray’s? How do you interepret the last line of the poem?
It seems Lucinda actually led a good life and was happy where as George seemed to wish he had gotten married and done more in his life. I think the last line is saying that you need to experience life to fully understand how great it is and too love it. If you just sit back and don’t take initiative you will not be happy with your life, but if you are like Lucinda who went out, married, danced in fields, sang to green valleys she actually experienced a part of life and was happy and loved life.



3. How are “George Gray” and “Lucinda Matlock” examples of realism?
They both expressed realism because they both were about average people living their lives. Even though George was unhappy and Lucinda was happy, both are examples of people living typial lives. Both these people aren’t really special people, but rather people who experienced life in different ways.