Literature on Maryland's Eastern Shore

by Jessica Hobbs

Maryland's Eastern Shore is rich with a long history of blue crabs, pony swims and sailing. This would explain why the things most frequently associated with Eastern Shore life include fisherman, water and wildlife. Although I agree that these are crucial elements of the Eastern Shore lifestyle, I feel they do a very poor job of capturing the true spirit of the Eastern Shore. Stereotypes of waterside sunsets and humble fisherman are simply not enough to explain the Eastern Shore; the only valid way to capture the essence of the Eastern Shore is through the written word. Because the Eastern Shore life is so complex and so diverse, the only true testament to it is its literature.

There has been no stronger bond linking mankind together than the written word. For thousands and thousands of years, man has relied upon the strength of communication to unite himself with his fellow man. So does literature do this for the Eastern Shore. Although I think fictional literature is more emblematic of the Eastern Shore as a whole, I feel that non-fiction work cannot be overlooked, especially when manifested as magazines and local newspapers. The articles written by natives, the editorials composed by townies, the comics drawn by Eastern Shore inhabitants: these things in and of themselves radiate an honesty inherently instilled in them upon their creation because they have strong roots in experiential truth. Through publications like Kent County News and Chesapeake Life, people are able to stay informed about and connected to their community. Community, as any Eastern Shore native can attest to, is an extremely important and extremely large part of Eastern Shore life. The written word acts as the wooden beams supporting the bridges connecting one small town to other small towns along the Eastern Shore. (Chesapeake Life)

Magazines are a popular commodity in small towns; newspapers, even more so. As fascinating as the world of fiction may be, the truth of the matter is that people are primarily concerned with facts, especially those which relate to them. Information about everything from gossip to weather to local events can be found in regional media. Although people certainly enjoy being amused, they would much rather be informed. (Kent County Newspaper)

More contemporary writers of fiction also work to fill in whatever gaps remain between towns, whether they are geographical or psychological. The fiction aspect of Eastern Shore literature appeals more to senses, emotions and concepts, rather than the facts, experiences and truths emphasized by nonfiction publications. They play on situations bound to particular settings, scenes which could only be constructed in a place like the Eastern Shore. The Course of the Waterman by Nancy Robson is a perfect example of this. Robson's tale-a story which follows a family of fisherman, the father's fight to see his son become something better, and the son's struggle to give up the water life he loves in order to please his deceased father-has characters, scenes and a plot based purposefully in our very own Chestertown. Chestertown breathes life into the characters, into the locations, into the complex web of action. This story could not have worked in any other setting. (Robson)

The Eastern Shore is not limited to simple narratives. It attracts both poets and artists to the Eastern Shore in hopes of grasping some understated emotion and idolizing it in a poem, or really capturing the beauty of a setting sun against the water. Though this may seem stereotypical, the glory of such things holds classic value to some. They find themselves lucky enough to have access to a place where these things are common: Maryland's Eastern Shore.

Meredith Hadaway is among these people. Her book, Fishing Secrets of the Dead, is a collection of poetry based around the Eastern Shore. An inspired Hadaway says that the "poems just come to [her]," and she knows they will be coming to her for some time. She thoroughly enjoys and takes advantage of the natural "windblown" beauty and "stark" splendor of this natural setting. The college, the community, and the innate gorgeousness of the Eastern Shore are the things which catch Hadaway's attention and keep her sufficiently inspired. It is in this way that the Eastern Shore perpetuates itself: creating and inspiring writers so that news of the Eastern Shore may be passed along to the rest of the world. (Hadaway)

It comes as no surprise that so much literature has evolved from Maryland's Eastern Shore. For years, the beauty of the waterfront locations has been drawing artists and writers alike. Portraits of Eastern Shore scenes are innumerable, as are the stories based in those same locations captured in a photograph or on canvas. The Eastern Shore is so rich in natural aesthetics and personable natives, it is difficult to indulge oneself in a place like the Eastern Shore and not be inspired for one reason or another.

Those creative souls who feel the allure of the Eastern Shore will be glad to know there is already an established community of creativity in Maryland's Eastern Shore. Nearly every small town houses at least one art studio, as well as a local publisher. There are countless magazines, newspapers, and other media through with any inspired person can share their work with the others residing on Maryland's Eastern Shore.

Although it is obvious why some would choose to associate Maryland's Eastern Shore with fisherman, blue crabs and wildlife, I feel this superficial explanation is too simple to really allow a person to understand the Eastern Shore experience. The Eastern Shore is an indefinable term, a broad grouping of unique things and matchless people which come together to form an exceptionally diverse and exuberant environment. Not everyone associates the Eastern Shore with literature; there are, in fact, quite a few people who are entirely unfamiliar with the concept of Eastern Shore literature in general. For these people, at least the ones who do not reside here, the Eastern Shore experience is lost as a superficial image of small town watermen and antique houses. The Eastern Shore to me, however, is a collection of beautiful words and heartfelt phrases waiting to captured and shared with the rest of world.

Works Cited

Chesapeake Life. August 2005.

Hadaway, Meredith. Personal Interview. October 10, 2005.

Kent County News. 60, 35. September 8, 2005.

Robson, Nancy Taylor. Course of the Waterman. Montgomery, Alabama: River City . Publishing, 2004.