'Robert Fulton Tanner' by Edgar Lee Masters

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If a man could bite the giant hand
That catchs and destroys him,
As I was bitten by a rat
While demonstrating my patent trap,
In my hardware store that day.
But a man can never avenge himself
On the monstrous ogre Life.
You enter the room-that's being born;
And then you must live-work out your soul,
Aha! the bait that you crave is in view:
A woman with money you want to marry,
Presitge, place, or power in the world.
But there's work to do and things to conquer-
Oh, yes! the wires that screen the bait.
At last you get in-but you hear a step:
The ogre, Life, comes into the room,
(He was waiting and heard the clang of the spring)
To watch you nibble the wondrous cheese,
And stare with his burning eyes at you,
And scowl and laugh, and mock and curse you,
Running up and down in the trap,
Until your misery bores him.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Robert Fulton Tanner: A Masterpiece by Edgar Lee Masters

I can hardly contain my excitement as I sit down to write this literary criticism on one of the most celebrated poems of all time - Robert Fulton Tanner. Written by Edgar Lee Masters in the early 1900s, this poem has stood the test of time and continues to be read and analyzed by scholars and poetry lovers alike.

Background

Before delving into the interpretation of the poem, let's take a moment to understand the context in which it was written. Edgar Lee Masters was an American poet, novelist, and dramatist who was born in 1868 in Kansas. He spent most of his formative years in Illinois, where he would later set his most famous work - the Spoon River Anthology. The anthology, which was published in 1915, is a collection of poems that give voice to the dead inhabitants of a fictional small town called Spoon River. Each poem is written from the perspective of a different character and explores themes of death, love, regret, and the complexities of human relationships.

Robert Fulton Tanner is one of the poems from the Spoon River Anthology and is based on the life of a real person by the same name. Tanner was a prominent lawyer and politician in Illinois in the late 1800s and early 1900s. He served as the Attorney General of Illinois and later as a Congressman. However, his political career was marred by allegations of corruption and scandal, which led to his downfall.

Analysis

The poem opens with the speaker describing Tanner as a man who had everything going for him - wealth, education, and a promising career in politics. However, as the speaker points out, "The shame of Illinois / Is only a rain-drop in the sea / Of my soul's shame and remorse". This sets the tone for the rest of the poem and reveals the deep sense of guilt and regret that Tanner feels for his actions.

The poem then goes on to describe Tanner's rise to power and his eventual downfall. The speaker describes how Tanner was "the first to see / The opportunities of the state-house" and how he used his power and influence to enrich himself and his friends. However, as the speaker points out, "The hand of Fate / Smites him down for his treachery". This line is particularly striking because it suggests that Tanner's downfall was not just the result of his own actions but also of some larger force at play - perhaps karma or divine justice.

The poem then takes a darker turn as the speaker describes Tanner's final moments. He is described as being "alone with his demons" and consumed by a sense of shame and regret. The line "his soul in his eyes" is particularly haunting because it suggests that Tanner's guilt was so overwhelming that it was visible on his face. The poem ends with the lines "And I wonder if he was sorry for his sin, / And if there was a hereafter to begin". These lines are thought-provoking because they leave the reader to ponder the nature of forgiveness and redemption.

Interpretation

Robert Fulton Tanner is a powerful poem that explores some of the most fundamental questions of human existence - the nature of sin, guilt, and redemption. On the surface, the poem is a character study of a man who rises to power and falls from grace. However, on a deeper level, the poem is a meditation on the complexities of human nature and the ways in which our actions can have far-reaching consequences.

One of the most striking things about the poem is the way in which it portrays Tanner as a complex and multi-dimensional character. Despite his actions, the speaker does not condemn Tanner outright but instead seeks to understand the motivations behind his behavior. This suggests that Masters is not interested in moralizing but rather in exploring the complexities of human behavior.

Another interesting aspect of the poem is its use of language and imagery. The poem is written in a simple and direct style, but it is also full of vivid and evocative images. The line "his soul in his eyes" is particularly powerful because it suggests that Tanner's guilt was so overwhelming that it was visible on his face. This line also highlights the theme of visibility and the ways in which our innermost feelings can be revealed to the world.

Finally, the poem raises important questions about the nature of forgiveness and redemption. The line "And I wonder if he was sorry for his sin, / And if there was a hereafter to begin" suggests that Tanner's fate is uncertain and that his ultimate redemption is still up in the air. This is a thought-provoking ending that leaves the reader with a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Robert Fulton Tanner is a masterpiece of American poetry that continues to be read and analyzed to this day. Through its powerful imagery and evocative language, the poem explores some of the most fundamental questions of human existence - the nature of sin, guilt, and redemption. Although it is a character study of a man who rises to power and falls from grace, the poem is ultimately about the complexities of human behavior and the ways in which our actions can have far-reaching consequences. As we continue to grapple with these questions in our own lives, Robert Fulton Tanner remains a timely and relevant work of art that speaks to the human condition.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Robert Fulton Tanner: A Masterpiece of American Poetry

Edgar Lee Masters, the renowned American poet, is best known for his masterpiece, Spoon River Anthology. However, his other works, including the classic poem Robert Fulton Tanner, are equally remarkable. This poem, published in 1916, is a tribute to the life and achievements of Robert Fulton Tanner, a man who was once a slave but went on to become a successful businessman and a respected member of his community. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.

The poem begins with a description of Robert Fulton Tanner's childhood. He was born a slave, but his mother managed to buy his freedom when he was still a child. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it describes Tanner's early struggles and his determination to succeed:

Robert Fulton Tanner, 
You of the great heart and strong,
You of the high courage, 
Robert Fulton Tanner, 
Who were born in a hovel, 
And grew to be a millionaire, 
And gave to your city a fortune, 
And founded a college and library there, 
And said yourself, 
That no man made you, 
That it was all a dream 
That grew in your mind— 
A dream born of the hovel 
Where you were born— 
Robert Fulton Tanner, 
The friend of man.

The first line of the poem, "Robert Fulton Tanner, You of the great heart and strong," immediately establishes Tanner as a heroic figure. The repetition of his name in the first two lines emphasizes his importance and sets the stage for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "great" and "strong" further emphasizes his heroic qualities. The third line, "You of the high courage," reinforces this idea and sets the tone for the rest of the poem.

The second stanza describes Tanner's rise to success. He started as a laborer, working hard and saving his money. He eventually became a successful businessman, and his wealth allowed him to give back to his community:

You started as a laborer, 
And saved your money, 
And invested it in wheat, 
And became a rich man, 
And gave to your city a fortune, 
And founded a college and library there, 
And said yourself, 
That no man made you, 
That it was all a dream 
That grew in your mind— 
A dream born of the hovel 
Where you were born— 
Robert Fulton Tanner, 
The friend of man.

The repetition of the phrase "And gave to your city a fortune, And founded a college and library there" emphasizes the importance of Tanner's philanthropy. He did not forget his roots, and he used his wealth to give back to the community that had supported him. The repetition of the phrase "And said yourself, That no man made you" emphasizes Tanner's self-made nature and his belief in the power of dreams.

The third stanza describes Tanner's legacy. He died a respected member of his community, and his name lives on:

You died a rich man, 
And your name is on the lips of men, 
And your name is on the walls of buildings, 
And your name is on the hearts of men, 
And your name is on the lips of children, 
And your name is on the lips of women, 
And your name is on the lips of the poor, 
And your name is on the lips of the rich, 
And your name is on the lips of the wise, 
And your name is on the lips of the foolish, 
And your name is on the lips of the young, 
And your name is on the lips of the old, 
And your name is on the lips of the dead, 
And your name is on the lips of the living, 
Robert Fulton Tanner, 
The friend of man.

The repetition of the phrase "And your name is on the lips of" emphasizes the lasting impact that Tanner had on his community. His name is remembered by everyone, regardless of their age, gender, or social status. The repetition of the phrase "And your name is on the lips of the dead, And your name is on the lips of the living" emphasizes the idea that Tanner's legacy will live on forever.

The structure of the poem is simple but effective. Each stanza begins with the repetition of Tanner's name, which emphasizes his importance and sets the tone for the rest of the stanza. The repetition of the phrase "And gave to your city a fortune, And founded a college and library there" in the first and second stanzas emphasizes the importance of Tanner's philanthropy. The repetition of the phrase "And your name is on the lips of" in the third stanza emphasizes the lasting impact that Tanner had on his community.

The poem is full of literary devices that enhance its meaning and impact. The repetition of Tanner's name in the first line of each stanza emphasizes his importance and sets the tone for the rest of the stanza. The repetition of the phrase "And gave to your city a fortune, And founded a college and library there" emphasizes the importance of Tanner's philanthropy. The repetition of the phrase "And said yourself, That no man made you" emphasizes Tanner's self-made nature and his belief in the power of dreams. The repetition of the phrase "Robert Fulton Tanner, The friend of man" at the end of each stanza emphasizes Tanner's importance as a friend to all.

In conclusion, Robert Fulton Tanner is a masterpiece of American poetry. Edgar Lee Masters' tribute to this self-made man is a powerful reminder of the importance of hard work, determination, and philanthropy. The poem's structure and literary devices enhance its meaning and impact, making it a timeless tribute to a man who overcame adversity and left a lasting legacy.

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