The Sculptor's Funeral

The Sculptor's Funeral is a short story written by Willa Cather, an American author known for her depictions of life on the Great Plains. The story takes place in the late 19th century and centers around the death of a famous sculptor, Harvey Merrick, and the events that unfold at his funeral.The story begins with the arrival of Merrick's body in his hometown of Sand City, Kansas. The townspeople are divided in their opinions of Merrick, with some seeing him as a great artist and others as a scandalous figure who left his roots behind. His family, including his sister Louise and his nephew Fred, are also present for the funeral.As the funeral procession makes its way through the town, tensions rise between the townspeople and Merrick's family. It becomes clear that there are deep-seated resentments and grudges between the two groups, and that Merrick's death has only exacerbated these feelings.The story is told from the perspective of Fred, who is a young man studying to become a sculptor himself. Through his observations and interactions with the other characters, we see the contrast between the artistic world and the small-mindedness of small-town life. The story ultimately raises questions about the nature of art, the value of fame, and the importance of staying true to oneself.Overall, The Sculptor's Funeral is a poignant and thought-provoking work that explores themes of art, identity, and community. Willa Cather's vivid descriptions and nuanced characterizations make this short story a timeless classic of American literature.THIS 32 PAGE ARTICLE WAS EXTRACTED FROM THE BOOK: Youth and the Bright Medusa, by Willa Cather. To purchase the entire book, please order ISBN 1417917318.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.