Comparing 'Lucinda Matlock And George Gray'
“Lucinda Matlock and George Gray” Edgar Lee Masters’ conveys how life can be perceived through the eyes of two people in the same town, who lived completely opposite lives. Lucinda Matlock was very wise woman, who lived life to the fullest. On the other hand, George Gray was too scared to live his life. Though the two had similar outlooks, their experiences were very different. The two speakers in Masters’ poems show that life is too short to not take chances. Despite the fact that Lucinda and George are very different, in some ways they are very relatable. Once dead, both can teach a valuable lesson. Each speaker tells one to live life and take chances. Lucinda states “It takes life to love Life” (line 22). This is telling the reader that
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She passes away very calmly and peacefully. Happy with her life, Lucinda was ready to perish. Readers are left with a positive tone of Lucinda’s passing. George says “....The marble which was chiseled for me-- A boat with a furled sail at rest in a harbor. In truth it pictures not my destination But my life.” (lines 1-5). This depicts how he relates his life to the boat in the harbor with the furled sail, capable of going out to sea, but he is too scared to take the chance. After reading George’s story, one may feel as if the tone is sad and regretful because of the way George failed to experience life. After death, George regrets missing out on the opportunities that life offered him. On the contrary, Lucinda realizes she had lived her life to the fullest. She was pleased with her life and she was content with her death at the age of 96. Though Lucinda Matlock and George Gray lived completely different lives, both offer valuable lessons. George realizes after death that he missed out on many great things life offered. Lucinda lived life day by day, loving others and experiencing life’s pleasures. When the end of life for her was near, she was completely content. From both poems, one is left with the understanding that life is simply too short not to take chances. Living life in fear, and never experiencing love, sorrow, or accomplishments can leave one with an enormous amount of regret in the
She passes away very calmly and peacefully. Happy with her life, Lucinda was ready to perish. Readers are left with a positive tone of Lucinda’s passing. George says “....The marble which was chiseled for me-- A boat with a furled sail at rest in a harbor. In truth it pictures not my destination But my life.” (lines 1-5). This depicts how he relates his life to the boat in the harbor with the furled sail, capable of going out to sea, but he is too scared to take the chance. After reading George’s story, one may feel as if the tone is sad and regretful because of the way George failed to experience life. After death, George regrets missing out on the opportunities that life offered him. On the contrary, Lucinda realizes she had lived her life to the fullest. She was pleased with her life and she was content with her death at the age of 96. Though Lucinda Matlock and George Gray lived completely different lives, both offer valuable lessons. George realizes after death that he missed out on many great things life offered. Lucinda lived life day by day, loving others and experiencing life’s pleasures. When the end of life for her was near, she was completely content. From both poems, one is left with the understanding that life is simply too short not to take chances. Living life in fear, and never experiencing love, sorrow, or accomplishments can leave one with an enormous amount of regret in the