Robert Graves an English poet and author once said, "There is no money in poetry, but then there is no poetry in money either," (Seabrook). For many that must write, paint, sculpture, and create, the road to great wealth and material gain is non-existent. The journey for those artists is to hold true to their dreams and express themselves through their artistic endeavors. In growing up on the Nebraskan prairies, Willa Cather sees and feels …showed first 75 words of 1474 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1474 total…Funeral" is one of Willa Cather's early short stories which reflects her belief that artists should not choose their work to gain wealth and popularity but should choose art to fulfill their talents. "Cather's passionate idealism and her disdain for materialistic aspiration leave little doubt that, in her view, it was only perfection that should concern the true artist" (Poupard 91). For Willa Cather, Harvey Merrick is the character that sought after perfection for art's sake.