Emily+Sparks

"Emily Sparks" Read by: Lesley Photo by: defenser fortis, "March 31, 2007" media type="custom" key="11206914" Emily Sparks cares for and loves her students even after death. She was different from other teachers because she wanted her students to know they could trust her. She loved all of her student so much she prayed that they were okay where ever they were. Emily Sparks, the school teacher, who cared for all her students, causing her to have a connection with them, but she had her favorite student, Reuben Pantier. In her poem, in the __//Spoon River Anthology//__ series of poems by Edgar Lee Masters, she wonders from the grave what has become of her student, Reuben Pantier, the one she cared for more than anyone else. When Emily Sparks worked as a school teacher in Spoon River, she put in all of her enthusiasm toward her students future. She went beyond teaching, and giving reprimands, she made sure her students felt cared for. Her care was so abundant, that she “prayed and prayed in many a watchful hour at night” (line 9-10). Emily’s dedication toward her students made her a teacher who was worth listening to and admiring. Emily Sparks described herself as “the teacher, the old maid, the virgin heart, who made them all [her] children” (line 4-5). The connection she had with her students made them feel as if they could trust her and made them feel loved. As she told one of her students “work for your soul’s sake” (line 15), which meant she wanted him to follow his passion. She wrote letters, and sacrificed her time and strength to help her students. She tried to do what she could to help her students. One of her favorite students was Reuben Pantier. In his poem he says “[her] prayers were not wasted, [her] love was not all in vain,[he] [owes] whatever [he] was in life, to [her] hope that would not give [him] up” (Reuben Pantier line 1-3) Emily saw a potential in all her students, but Reuben was different. At home he had no love, the love that he needed was given by Emily. Even when dead she still thought of her boy. Her poem mainly describes her thoughts and how she felt toward her student Reuben Pantier. All of her effort toward the school was focused on Reuben’s life. She knew her boy and his needs, so she tried all she could to help him. Her effort caused her to be more than a teacher in Reuben's life. The teacher, Emily Sparks, died in Spoon River lying side by side with everyone no matter who they were. She was a teacher, an instructor, and a leader to Reuben Pantier. Her care impacted many of her students, but it was a strong significance to Reuben. When he was in Paris he thought about the care and love his teacher offered him, which made him think of the wrong choices he had taken in life. Emily may have not only impacted his life, she may have also helped other students. All of her characteristics helped her be the caring and loving teacher.

Work Cited: Master, Edgar Lee. " Emily Sparks".__The Spoon River Anthology__. New York: Macmillian, 1946. 18.

Master, Edgar Lee. "Reuben Pantier." __The Spoon River Anthology__. New York: Macmillian, 1946. 17.