Spoon River Analogy

Spoon River Analysis
Zilpha Marsh Of all the characters in Spoon River, only one has the key ingredient that makes the book complete; that person is Zilpha Marsh. Even though Zilpha is mentioned only once within the book, she represents a controversial issue debated everywhere and can be related to people in real life. Zilpha represents mystery, supernatural, and spiritual beings, every word that is written about her suggest a deeper and more complex meaning; her entire character permeates an eerie feeling that adds the extra spice to Soon River. Zilpha is the only character that follows a different pattern and has the most character within a poem. Although the poem stated nothing about her death, family, friends, or even her life, the words and emotions within the text point the reader in several different directions. With the use of imagery Masters is able to unravel an entire story, creating an atmosphere that can make anyone's skin crawl. Also the rhetorical terms used within the poem helped to create Zilpha's very being. Many possibilities can be inferred from the text about Zilpha's life, death, friends & family and more, giving her the appearance of a complex person. As experiences shape everyone's characters, Zilpha's shape hers. As the poem unfolds, many views can be seen for Zilpha; however, with many varying aspects of character, one could speculate that Zilpha isn't one person, but a part of everyone. Zilpha Marsh, from the very beginning creates an eerie atmosphere, with such vivid imagery as: wind howling, leaves blowing, fires creating a spectral glow, shadows cast on the walls, barren fields, and this entire taking place in an empty school house in late October. Even the date and time themselves suggest a supernatural feel. Late October would be around Halloween, which is supposed to be one of the spookiest times of the year, where spirits rise from the dead and are among the living. In addition, the time, 4 o' clock, is the prime hour for that