Mrs. Benjamin Pantier

I know that he told that I snared his soul
With a snare which bled him to death.
And all the men loved him,
And most of the women pitied him.
But suppose you are really a lady, and have delicate tastes,
And loathe the smell of whiskey and onions.
And the rhythm of Wordsworth's "Ode" runs in your ears,
While he goes about from morning till night
Repeating bits of that common thing;
"Oh, why should the spirit of mortal be proud?"
And then, suppose:
You are a woman well endowed,
And the only man with whom the law and morality
Permit you to have the martial relation
Is the very man that fills you with disgust
Every time you think of it-while you think of it
Every time you see him?
That's why I drove him away from home
To live with his dog in a dingy room
Back of his office.

Questions for Mrs. Pantier:

1. Describe the Pantier's marriage. What caused this type of marriage?
2. With whom does Spoon River side? Why?
3. Which of the two do you have more sympathy for? Explain.

MRS.BENJAMIN PANTIER

This poem is perhaps based on Lewistown lawyer Kinsey Thomas. Mrs. Benjamin is based on the lawyer's wife, Emogene Thomas. Her poem reflects the conflict between Hardin W. Masters (1845-1925) and Emma Masters (1849-1926), the poet's parents, whose marriage was frequently in conflict.