29 pages 58 minutes read

Willa Cather

The Sculptor's Funeral

Fiction | Short Story | Adult | Published in 1905

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics.

Symbols & Motifs

The Palm Leaf

The palm leaf is a common Christian symbol for victory and Christ. The Bible notes that the people of Jerusalem threw palm leaves at the feet of Jesus as he entered the city just days before he was betrayed and crucified. The palm leaf on Merrick’s casket symbolizes both his success as an artist and his betrayal by the townspeople whose inability to recognize the value of his artistic successes condemned him to a life of bitterness and exile. The palm leaf also fits into a larger motif of Christian imagery that depicts the sculptor as a sainted martyr for his appreciation of beauty; the townspeople condemn the artist, just as the public condemned Christ by calling for his crucifixion. This connection is made explicit when Steavens recalls a conversation in which Merrick bitterly explained that he “has nothing to fear from the judgment of God,” suggesting that it will be less stringent than the condemnation he will face from the people in his hometown. He also compares his art to a “Victory,” which evokes the palm leaf motif as it develops the theme of The Artist Against Society (334).

Related Titles

By Willa Cather

Study Guide

logo

A Lost Lady

Willa Cather

A Lost Lady

Willa Cather

Study Guide

logo

A Wagner Matinee

Willa Cather

A Wagner Matinee

Willa Cather

Plot Summary

logo

Coming, Aphrodite!

Willa Cather

Coming, Aphrodite!

Willa Cather

Study Guide

logo

Death Comes for the Archbishop

Willa Cather

Death Comes for the Archbishop

Willa Cather

Plot Summary

logo

Lucy Gayheart

Willa Cather

Lucy Gayheart

Willa Cather

Study Guide

logo

My Antonia

Willa Cather

My Antonia

Willa Cather

Study Guide

logo

Neighbour Rosicky

Willa Cather

Neighbour Rosicky

Willa Cather

Study Guide

logo

One Of Ours

Willa Cather

One Of Ours

Willa Cather

Study Guide

logo

Paul's Case

Willa Cather

Paul's Case

Willa Cather

Plot Summary

logo

Shadows on the Rock

Willa Cather

Shadows on the Rock

Willa Cather

Study Guide

logo

The Professor's House

Willa Cather

The Professor's House

Willa Cather

Study Guide

logo

The Song of the Lark

Willa Cather

The Song of the Lark

Willa Cather