The Sculptor’s Funeral is a short story by Willa Cather that explores themes of artistic expression, societal expectations, and the clash between individualism and conformity. The artist, Harvey Merrick, is portrayed sympathetically and exalted, even in death, while the townspeople’s narrow-mindedness and insensitivity are evident
The story is set in the fictional frontier town of Sand City, Kansas, and revolves around the funeral of a talented sculptor named Harvey Merrick. The townspeople gather for the wake but express judgment and resentment towards him. His former student, Henry Steavens reflects on the impact of their attitude on Merrick’s life, even in death. He notices the strain and bitterness that life left on Merrick’s face as if death could not entirely release the tension and bring him peace.
The Sculptor’s Funeral was first published in 1905 as part of Cather’s collection of short stories titled “The Troll Garden.”
The Sculptor’s Funeral | Summary
In “The Sculptor’s Funeral,” the body of Mr. Harvey Merrick is brought back to his hometown for his funeral. Many townspeople gather at the train station to receive the coffin. As they wait for the train, some men discuss Harvey’s life and regret that he did not belong to any prestigious organization for a more fitting funeral.
When the train arrives, a young man named Henry Steavens, who was Harvey’s pupil, steps out. None of Harvey’s family members are present, so Jim Laird, Harvey’s old friend, offers Henry a ride to the family’s home where the wake will be held.
Once they arrive, the coffin is placed in the parlor, and the grieving family enters. Harvey’s father appears overwhelmed by his wife’s sorrow and seemingly oblivious to everything else around him. Jim Laird notices something special in Henry’s reaction to the situation. He takes Henry aside and shares stories about the hardships Harvey faced as a child, including mistreatment by the maid, Roxy. Despite his difficult upbringing, Harvey grew into a sensitive and talented artist.
During the wake, many townspeople pass judgment on Harvey’s life, surprising Henry with their lack of understanding and appreciation for all that Harvey achieved. Jim enters the room and confronts the crowd, pointing out their narrow-mindedness and jealousy towards Harvey’s success.
Jim leaves the place in frustration and later dies due to his excessive drinking. The story reflects on the complex emotions and attitudes of the townspeople towards Harvey and his achievements, highlighting the impact he had on the town and beyond.
The Sculptor’s Funeral | Analysis
In “The Sculptor’s Funeral,” we find that the protagonist, Harvey Merrick chose to leave his small hometown, which was filled with negative and condemning people, in pursuit of a better life. Despite facing adversity and harsh treatment, he found success and fulfillment away from the town that once put him down. His friend Jim Laird, who had experienced similar judgment, returned to the town as a lawyer but was glad Harvey stayed away and achieved greatness.
At Harvey’s wake, the townspeople who used to enjoy criticizing him gather, while his pupil Henry Steavens travels from Boston to pay his respects. Henry is shocked and hurt to hear the disparaging remarks about a man he idolizes for his kindness and strength. As Henry learns more about the difficulties Harvey faced, especially the mistreatment from the maid Roxy, he gains a deeper appreciation for his master’s resilience.
The negative atmosphere at the wake overwhelms Henry, leaving him with the strong urge to leave with whatever remains of Harvey. He now understands the pain and struggles Harvey hid behind his smile. Memories of Harvey’s return from a visit home, marked by a sullen flush, come back to Henry.
In conversation with Jim, Henry discusses Harvey’s challenging childhood and how he rose above the ugliness that surrounded him, displaying refined tastes and an uplifting demeanor. The strength and positivity Harvey demonstrated in his life despite his troubled past leave a profound impression on Henry. Jim refuses to engage with the crowd of gossiping people, having grown tired of their pettiness over the years. When Henry hears hurtful words from people who never truly knew Harvey, he recalls Harvey’s own words on his deathbed about the townspeople’s judgment.
Finally, Jim takes a stand, expressing his disdain for the townspeople’s hypocrisy and their treatment of boys like Harvey who grew up in the town. He highlights the contrast between their expectations of successful rascals and the reality of unsuccessful ones, pointing out Harvey’s exceptional character compared to their own shortcomings. Jim’s impassioned speech casts a shadow on the men in the room, revealing the stark contrast between their pettiness and the greatness of Harvey Merrick.
“The Sculptor’s Funeral,” when viewed through the lens of literary Naturalism, delves into the utilitarian nature of life on the frontier and how it leads to the erosion of the soul in a materialistic world devoid of art. The narrative embodies the internal struggle of the artist against society, focusing on the tragic life of a gifted artistic genius who grows up in the transitional zone between roughness and civilization, as described by Laird.
The story highlights Merrick’s inability to break free from the influence of the frontier, where he craves art and beauty but also yearns for acceptance and a sense of belonging. Despite his artistic talents, he remains tethered to the frontier’s practicality and its impact on his soul.
Willa Cather’s short fiction portrays a homecoming, symbolizing the return after a period of exile. The narrative structure also incorporates elements of the mystery genre by opening with the end of the journey when the sculptor’s body is brought back to his hometown. Henry Steavens, Merrick’s former student, serves as the central perspective through which the story unfolds.
The Sculptor’s Funeral | Themes
The main theme of this story revolves around the impact of close-mindedness on an individual’s life in the small town of Sand City, Kansas. The townspeople are predominantly driven by greed and materialism, and their narrow perspectives become evident during the funeral of Harvey Merrick.
The story explores the conflict between Harvey’s artistic pursuits and the town’s materialistic values. Harvey’s genius as a sculptor sets him apart from the townspeople, leading to a lack of acceptance and understanding. Harvey, a sculptor and teacher, did not conform to the town’s expectations, as he valued art and personal growth over the pursuit of wealth and possessions. This set him apart from the others, and they consider him, even in death, a failure for not adhering to their materialistic ideals. We can infer that he struggled to reconcile his individuality with the collective identity of the townspeople.
Despite being unappreciated by most of the townspeople, Harvey is well-liked by his dedicated student, who makes a considerable effort to attend his funeral. The townspeople are surprised that someone actually admired Harvey enough to show such respect. The only other person who truly understands and admires Harvey is Jim Laird.
Jim has known Harvey for a long time and deeply respects him. He reveals that, like Harvey, he too desired to achieve greatness but succumbed to the pressure of conforming to the town’s expectations, becoming a “shrewd lawyer.” In contrast, Harvey managed to break free from the town’s mentality and reach his full potential without worrying about fitting in.
The harsh and unforgiving frontier environment shapes the attitudes and behaviors of the townspeople. The vastness of the Great Plains discourages individualism and encourages a group mentality. Jealousy and Resentment: Harvey’s success and departure from the town trigger jealousy and resentment among the townspeople, further widening the gap between him and the community.
The Sculptor’s Funeral | Title of the Story
The title of the story immediately informs the reader that the story revolves around the funeral of a sculptor. By placing the profession in the title, it emphasizes the central role of the deceased artist, Harvey Merrick, in the narrative. As the story revolves around an artist, the title highlights the central theme of artistic expression and creativity. It signifies that the story will delve into the struggles and significance of art and the artist’s role in society. It conveys a sense of mourning and loss, reflecting the challenges and hardships faced by the artist, Harvey Merrick, during his life. It hints at the conflicts he endured as an individual striving for artistic fulfillment in a society that values materialism and conformity. The title also hints at the town’s reaction to Merrick’s death, reflecting the attitudes and judgments of the townspeople towards the artist. It implies that the funeral will be a platform to explore the contrast between the artist’s values and the materialistic and pragmatic mindset of the town’s inhabitants. The juxtaposition of “sculptor” and “funeral” in the title represents the clash between art and death, life and loss. It encapsulates the internal struggle of the artist against societal expectations and highlights the price an artist may pay for pursuing their passion.
The Sculptor’s Funeral | Character Sketch
The characters in Cather’s “The Sculptor’s Funeral” are as follows.
Harvey Merrick: The central character and protagonist of the story. He is a talented sculptor who left his small frontier hometown, to pursue his artistic dreams. Despite his artistic genius, he faces judgment and criticism from the townspeople, ironically, at his very own funeral, for not conforming to their materialistic expectations.
Henry Steavens: Harvey Merrick’s former student and friend. He is deeply devoted to his master and admires him for his artistic talents and character. Henry serves as the focalizer through which the story is framed, providing insight into Merrick’s life and the town’s attitudes.
Jim Laird: An old friend of Harvey Merrick, who shares memories of their past and understands and admires Merrick’s artistic journey. Jim is one of the few individuals in the town who appreciates Merrick’s talents and recognizes the struggles he faced.
Merrick’s Family: This includes his devastated mother and sister, who mourn his death at the funeral. Harvey’s father is also present, appearing overwhelmed by his wife’s grief.
The Sculptor’s Funeral | Literary Devices
“The Sculptor’s Funeral” is set in the fictional frontier town of Sand City, Kansas, during the late 19th century. The primary action unfolds within the parlor of Merrick’s childhood home. Willa Cather’s writing often revolves around frontier and domestic settings, and in this story, she contrasts the family’s musty parlor with the vast and threatening environment of the Great Plains.
The expansive and unpredictable nature of the frontier discourages individualism, leading people to seek safety and belonging within a collective identity. This group mentality creates expectations of conformity that Merrick, with his artistic sensibilities, finds impossible to meet. The resulting tension between his creativity and the town’s pragmatic social structure becomes the central conflict of the story.
The resentment and hostility of the townspeople towards Merrick are evident within the setting of the Merrick household. The frontier setting influences the overall situation, while the domestic setting serves to illustrate the internal conflict and thematic elements on a more intimate and personal level.
