In the poem, “George Gray,” Edgar Lee Masters demonstrates the theme of regret versus courage through symbolism. For example, a strong use of the literary device, symbolism, is displayed when the narrator states, “The marble which was once chiseled for me -” (2). In this statement, the marble represents the author’s tombstone, which was set in stone from the start. Masters is trying to portray his regret within the choice of fulfilling a meaningless life. In addition, another example resembling the use of personification through a symbolic statement when the author writes, “Sorrow knocked at my door, but I was afraid; Ambition called to me, but I dreaded the chances,” (7-8). In this piece of literature, sorrow knocking at his door represents
