Daisy Fraser, a woman with a bad reputation, speaks from the grave to expose the hypocrisy of Spoon River. She asks whether the editor, the judge, or the ministers ever gave money to public needs—though they took bribes, protected the railroad and banks, and stayed silent for pay. No. They kept what they got. But Daisy, the woman people snickered at on the street, was repeatedly hauled before the justice and fined ten dollars plus costs. Her fines went to the school fund. So the respectable leaders profited from corruption while the despised woman actually helped support the town’s children. Her voice is sharp, resentful, and a little proud. The mood is darkly funny and accusing, built on small-town scandal and moral reversal.
Daisy Fraser — Summary
Did you ever hear of Editor Whedon Giving to the public treasury any of the money he received For supporting candidates for office? Or for writing up the canning factory To get people to invest? Or for suppressing the facts about the bank, When it was rotten and ready to break? Did you ever hear of the Circuit Judge Helping anyone except the “Q” railroad, Or the bankers? Or did Rev. Peet or Rev. Sibley Give any part of their salary, earned by keeping still, Or speaking out as the leaders wished them to do, To the building of the water works? But I—Daisy Fraser who always passed Along the street through rows of nods and smiles, And coughs and words such as “there she goes.” Never was taken before Justice Arnett Without contributing ten dollars and costs To the school fund of Spoon River!