Spoon River Anthology · Chapter
Le Roy Goldman explained
Le Roy Goldman, a revivalist, reflects on the fear of death for those who have rejected Jesus.
What happens
Le Roy Goldman, a revivalist, reflects on the fear of death for those who have rejected Jesus. He suggests that the presence of a loving family member who knew you intimately can intercede for you before God, providing comfort and guidance in the final moments.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
Adam Weirauch’s emotional and psychological peak occurs when he abandons his principles, declaring “to hell wi…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Death and Legacy
The chapter focuses on the moment of death and the legacy of one's faith or lack thereof.
- The Search for Meaning
Goldman questions the meaning of a life without Jesus and seeks assurance through familial love.
Characters to notice
- Le Roy Goldman
The revivalist who contemplates death and the importance of familial intercession.
Key passages
“What will you do when you come to die, If all your life long you have rejected Jesus, And know as you lie there, He is not your friend?”
How will you face death if you have spent your whole life rejecting Jesus and realize in your final moments that He is not on your side?
Goldman poses a rhetorical question about the consequences of a life without faith.
“That is the hand your hand will reach for, To lead you along the corridor To the court where you are a stranger!”
That is the hand you will grasp to guide you through the passage to the judgment where you are unknown.
Goldman emphasizes the role of a loved one as a guide and advocate in the afterlife.
