Analysing and reaccessing texts through Character Interaction Network: The interpoetic narrative of Spoon River Anthology

Abstract

This study employs Character Network Analysis (CNA) to examine Edgar Lee Masters' Spoon River Anthology, a distinctive collection of interconnected poems. It addresses the limited application of CNA to unconventional literary works by evaluating its effectiveness in this context. The research focuses on how character interactions construct an interpoetic narrative within the anthology. By integrating manual data extraction, network visualisation, and sentiment analysis, the study maps and interprets these interactions. Findings reveal a central connected component with key characters arranged in "Hub-and-Spoke" structures that drive the narrative. The analysis also considers the impact of supplementary poems from the 1916 edition, demonstrating that these additions reinforce but do not significantly alter the existing narrative. Furthermore, the study highlights how poems often express negative sentiments towards those poems/characters inspired by real Lewistown residents, reflecting Masters' critical view of his hometown. By employing CNA, the research provides a novel approach for re-accessing and re-evaluating the text, showcasing CNA’s potential in literary analysis. The findings suggest that CNA could be a valuable tool for future research in digital humanities, advocating for the creation of a comprehensive digital edition to enhance accessibility and engagement with the text.