Spoon River Anthology, Hod Putt summary
Hod Putt of 246 · 1 min to read the chapter
In Hod Putt, a dead speaker recounts how poverty and the sight of others becoming wealthy drive him to rob a traveler, whom he unintentionally kills. His execution contrasts with Old Bill Piersol’s increased wealth through bankruptcy, while their neighboring graves place both men in the same final condition.
What happens
- Hod Putt identifies his grave as close to Old Bill Piersol’s.
- Bill gains wealth through trade with the Indians and becomes even richer through bankruptcy.
- Tired of poverty and work, Hod robs a traveler near Proctor’s Grove and unintentionally kills him.
- Hod faces trial and hanging, which he describes as his own form of bankruptcy.
- He closes by presenting himself and Bill as peaceful neighbors in death.
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What to notice
Hod turns bankruptcy into a comparison between Bill’s financial gain and his own execution. The line joins their unequal experiences before the closing image of neighboring graves.
Quick check
What happens to Hod after he robs and unintentionally kills a traveler?
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