1. What object symbolizes George Gray’s life? How is this object representative of him?
A boat symbolizes his life. This represents George Gray because he says that he is afraid to set sail, or move on in life, but yet he wants to and knows he has too. It’s a peaceful feeling on the tombstone that he’s at rest. But really, it’s not the destination, it’s how he lived his life. He hasn’t done anything special in life. He was unable to open up himself to good things in life.
2. How was Lucinda Matlock’s life different than George Gray’s? How do you interepret the last line of the poem?
She had kids, and fell in love. She lived life to the fullest, unlike George Gray. The last line is saying that you need to have a life to love life. The last life is capitalized because its life in general, and everyone needs to love their own life. She owns it, and loved her life no matter what the negatives were.
3. How are “George Gray” and “Lucinda Matlock” examples of realism?
George Gray talks about living a very simple and common life, which is the style of realism. He regrests living his life so simply, though. Lucinda Matlock is a style of realism because her like is also very realistic, and told in a very straightforward manner.
