Domesday Book

'Domesday Book' is a profound and ambitious narrative poem by Edgar Lee Masters, the celebrated author of 'Spoon River Anthology.' Structured as a sprawling forensic and philosophical investigation, the work centers on the mysterious death of Elenor Murray, who is found by the side of a river in Illinois. Through a series of testimonies and monologues from those who knew her-including a coroner, a physician, and various acquaintances-Masters weaves a complex tapestry of human interconnectedness and the ripple effects of a single life.Drawing inspiration from the historical census of the same name, Masters’s 'Domesday Book' serves as a spiritual and social inventory of American life in the early 20th century. It explores themes of waste, potential, and the moral fiber of a nation through the lens of a tragic individual fate. This literary epic blends the suspense of an inquiry with the depth of psychological realism, offering a haunting examination of the human condition. Masters’s mastery of free verse and his keen eye for the intricacies of provincial existence make this work a significant landmark in American modernism, providing readers with a panoramic view of the societal forces that shape our identities and destinies.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.