Easton Press Sherwood Anderson books
Franklin Library Sherwood Anderson books
Sherwood Anderson biography
Before gaining literary acclaim, Sherwood Anderson had a diverse career, working in various jobs, including advertising and business. His experiences in the corporate world and observations of everyday life provided him with rich material for his writing. The shift from a successful business career to a focus on literature came after a nervous breakdown in 1912, prompting Anderson to reassess his life and pursue his passion for writing. Apart from Winesburg, Ohio, Anderson wrote several novels and short story collections, including Poor White (1920), Many Marriages (1923), and Dark Laughter (1925). His writing style was characterized by a deep psychological insight into his characters and an exploration of the impact of societal norms on individual lives.
Hands by Sherwood Anderson summary
In Hands, the protagonist is Wing Biddlebaum, a reclusive and eccentric teacher living in the small town of Winesburg. Biddlebaum is known for his peculiar habit of nervously wringing his hands. The story delves into Biddlebaum's past and the events that led to his isolation and anxiety. Wing Biddlebaum was once a teacher in Pennsylvania, known as Adolph Myers. He had a different life until an incident with a young boy, misunderstanding his intentions while showing affection, led to accusations and forced him to leave his job and change his identity.The story explores themes of isolation, the impact of society's judgments, and the consequences of misunderstanding and alienation. Biddlebaum's character is deeply human and sympathetic, reflecting Anderson's interest in the complexities of small-town life and the struggles of its inhabitants. Hands is often praised for its psychological insight, character depth, and its contribution to the broader narrative structure of Winesburg, Ohio, where various characters' stories intertwine to create a composite portrait of the town and its people.
Sherwood Anderson's literary influence extended beyond his own works. He mentored and inspired a generation of writers, including William Faulkner and Ernest Hemingway, who acknowledged Anderson's impact on their own writing styles. Anderson's emphasis on capturing the nuances of ordinary lives and his departure from traditional narrative structures left an indelible mark on American literature. Tragically, Sherwood Anderson passed away on March 8, 1941, at the age of 64, but his legacy as a pioneering figure in American literature endures, and his contributions continue to be studied and appreciated for their lasting impact on the literary landscape.
Winesburg, Ohio
At the heart of Winesburg, Ohio lies the character of George Willard, a young reporter for the local newspaper who serves as a witness to the lives of the town's inhabitants. Through George's encounters with figures such as the disillusioned Dr. Reefy, the restless Louise Bentley, and the enigmatic Wing Biddlebaum, Anderson delves into themes of loneliness, alienation, and the search for connection in a world marked by isolation and despair. Anderson's prose is spare yet evocative, imbuing each story with a sense of depth and poignancy that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned. His ability to capture the inner lives of his characters with such clarity and compassion elevates Winesburg, Ohio beyond mere fiction, transforming it into a haunting meditation on the human condition and the universal desire for understanding and acceptance.
As readers journey through the streets of Winesburg, they are confronted with the raw emotions and hidden desires that lurk beneath the surface of everyday life. Anderson's unflinching portrayal of small-town America exposes the cracks in the facade of rural tranquility, revealing the darkness and complexity that lies beneath. Winesburg, Ohio remains a landmark achievement in American literature, celebrated for its profound insight, lyrical prose, and timeless portrayal of the human experience. Through its pages, Sherwood Anderson invites readers to explore the depths of the human soul and discover the beauty and tragedy that lies at the heart of every life.
Sherwood Anderson quotes
"The object of art is not to make salable pictures. It is to save yourself."
"I want to create, not be created."
"The
life of reality is confused, disorderly, almost always without apparent
purpose, where in the artist's imaginative life there is purpose. There
is determination to give the experience of reality the order and form
of a work of art."
"The whole object of writing fiction is to make it real; you want the reader to feel, to believe."
"The thing of course, is to make yourself alive. Most people remain all of their lives in a stupor."
"In the darkness all men are equal. If a man can grasp this and live by it, he will be happy."
"The
real thing, the thing to be kept in mind, is that before the beginning
and after the end there is always a Now, and that now that you could see
if you had the ability to see, was as full of shock, pain, happy
surprise, sadness, and goodness as any that could possibly fall to the
lot of man."
"It is not difficult to write understandingly of the
people of Winesburg, Ohio, but it is impossible to do so without love
and affection."
"The writer must write to his feeling for truth.
He must write to his perception of truth, without concerning himself
with what the world may think about what he writes."
"Life is a comet, flying through the darkness."
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