Sherwood AndersonSherwood Anderson

SHERWOOD SHERWOOD ANDERSONANDERSON

Sherwood Anderson (September 13, 1876 – Sherwood Anderson (September 13, 1876 – March 8, 1941) was an American writer, mainly March 8, 1941) was an American writer, mainly

of short stories, most notably the collection of short stories, most notably the collection Winesburg, Ohio. His influence on American Winesburg, Ohio. His influence on American

fiction was profound; his literary voice can be fiction was profound; his literary voice can be heard in Ernest Hemingway, William Faulkner, heard in Ernest Hemingway, William Faulkner,

Thomas Wolfe, John Steinbeck, and others.Thomas Wolfe, John Steinbeck, and others.

SHERWOOD ANDERSONSHERWOOD ANDERSON He was born in He was born in Camden, OhioCamden, Ohio, the , the

third of Erwin M. and Emma S. third of Erwin M. and Emma S. Anderson's seven children. After Anderson's seven children. After his father's business failed, they his father's business failed, they were forced to move frequently, were forced to move frequently, finally settling down at finally settling down at Clyde, OhioClyde, Ohio, in , in 18841884. Family difficulties led his . Family difficulties led his mother to begin drinking heavily, mother to begin drinking heavily, and his father died in and his father died in 18951895. Partly . Partly as a result of these events, as a result of these events, Anderson was eager to take on odd Anderson was eager to take on odd jobs to help his family, earning him jobs to help his family, earning him the nickname "Jobby", leaving the nickname "Jobby", leaving school at 14.school at 14.

He moved to He moved to ChicagoChicago near his brother Karl's home. He near his brother Karl's home. He worked as a worked as a manual laborermanual laborer until near the turn of the until near the turn of the century, when he enlisted in the century, when he enlisted in the United States ArmyUnited States Army and and was called but did not see action in was called but did not see action in CubaCuba during the during the Spanish-American WarSpanish-American War. After the war in . After the war in 19001900, he , he attended attended Wittenberg UniversityWittenberg University in in Springfield, OhioSpringfield, Ohio. . Eventually he secured a copywriter job in Chicago, where Eventually he secured a copywriter job in Chicago, where he was highly successful. In 1904, he married Cornelia he was highly successful. In 1904, he married Cornelia Lane, the daughter of a wealthy Ohio family.Lane, the daughter of a wealthy Ohio family.

He fathered three children while living in He fathered three children while living in Cleveland, OhioCleveland, Ohio, and later , and later ElyriaElyria, where he managed a mail-order , where he managed a mail-order business and paint manufacturing firms. In November business and paint manufacturing firms. In November 1912, he went missing, but reappeared four days later 1912, he went missing, but reappeared four days later after having a mental breakdown. He described this as after having a mental breakdown. He described this as "escaping from his materialistic existence", which "escaping from his materialistic existence", which garnered praise from many other writers, who used his garnered praise from many other writers, who used his "courage" as an example. He moved back to Chicago, "courage" as an example. He moved back to Chicago, working again for the publishing and advertising working again for the publishing and advertising company.company.

In In 19161916, he divorced Cornelia Lane and married , he divorced Cornelia Lane and married Tennessee Mitchell. That same year, his first Tennessee Mitchell. That same year, his first novel, novel, Windy McPherson's SonWindy McPherson's Son, was published. , was published. Three years later, his second major work, Three years later, his second major work, Marching MenMarching Men, was published. However, he is , was published. However, he is probably most famous for his collection of works, probably most famous for his collection of works, which he began in which he began in 19191919, known as , known as Winesburg, Winesburg, OhioOhio. . HandsHands, the opening story, was the first , the opening story, was the first realreal story he wrote, he claimed. His themes are story he wrote, he claimed. His themes are compared to those of compared to those of T. S. EliotT. S. Eliot and many other and many other such such modernistsmodernists..

Although his short stories, especially those Although his short stories, especially those mentioned, were very successful, he felt mentioned, were very successful, he felt the need to write novels. In the need to write novels. In 19201920, he , he published published Poor WhitePoor White, a rather successful , a rather successful novel. He wrote various novels before novel. He wrote various novels before divorcing Mitchell in divorcing Mitchell in 19221922 and marrying and marrying Elizabeth Prall, two years later.Elizabeth Prall, two years later.

In In 19231923, Anderson published , Anderson published Many MarriagesMany Marriages, the , the themes of which he would carry over into much of his themes of which he would carry over into much of his later writing. The novel had its detractors, but the later writing. The novel had its detractors, but the reviews were, on the whole, positive. reviews were, on the whole, positive. F. Scott FitzgeraldF. Scott Fitzgerald, for example, considered , for example, considered Many MarriagesMany Marriages Anderson's Anderson's finest novel.finest novel.

Beginning in 1924, Anderson lived in the historic Beginning in 1924, Anderson lived in the historic Pontalba Apartments (540-B St. Peter Street) adjoining Pontalba Apartments (540-B St. Peter Street) adjoining Jackson SquareJackson Square in New Orleans. There he and his wife in New Orleans. There he and his wife entertained William Faulkner, Carl Sandburg, Edmund entertained William Faulkner, Carl Sandburg, Edmund Wilson and other literary luminaries.Wilson and other literary luminaries.

Of Faulkner, in fact, he wrote his ambiguous and Of Faulkner, in fact, he wrote his ambiguous and moving short story "A Meeting South," and, in 1925, moving short story "A Meeting South," and, in 1925, wrote wrote Dark LaughterDark Laughter, a novel rooted in his New Orleans , a novel rooted in his New Orleans experience. Although the book is now out of print (and experience. Although the book is now out of print (and was satirized by Ernest Hemingway in his novel was satirized by Ernest Hemingway in his novel The The Torrents of SpringTorrents of Spring), it would be Anderson's only best-), it would be Anderson's only best-seller.seller.

Anderson's third marriage also failed, and Anderson's third marriage also failed, and Anderson married Eleanor Copenhaver in the Anderson married Eleanor Copenhaver in the late 1920s. They traveled and often studied late 1920s. They traveled and often studied together. In the 1930s, he published together. In the 1930s, he published Death in the Death in the WoodsWoods, , Puzzled AmericaPuzzled America (a book of essays), and (a book of essays), and Kit BrandonKit Brandon, which was published in , which was published in 19361936..

He dedicated his He dedicated his 19321932 novel novel Beyond DesireBeyond Desire to to Copenhaver. Although he was much less Copenhaver. Although he was much less influential in this final writing period, many of influential in this final writing period, many of Anderson's more significant lines of Anderson's more significant lines of proseprose were were present in these works, which were generally present in these works, which were generally considered sub-par compared to his others.considered sub-par compared to his others.

He died in He died in PanamaPanama of of peritonitisperitonitis after swallowing after swallowing a toothpick at a party, aged 64. Sherwood a toothpick at a party, aged 64. Sherwood Anderson was buried at Round Hill Cemetery in Anderson was buried at Round Hill Cemetery in Marion, VirginiaMarion, Virginia. His epitaph reads, "Life Not . His epitaph reads, "Life Not Death is the Great Adventure".Death is the Great Adventure".

Anderson's final home, known as Anderson's final home, known as RipshinRipshin, still , still stands instands in Troutdale, VirginiaTroutdale, Virginia, and may be toured by appointment., and may be toured by appointment.

Winesburg, OhioWinesburg, Ohio

Ripshin – Anderson’s home in Virginia

Anderson’s Style And Anderson’s Style And TechniqueTechnique In the use of language Anderson is somewhat of a pioneer. His In the use of language Anderson is somewhat of a pioneer. His

contribution to American language used artistically is very considerable. contribution to American language used artistically is very considerable. Anderson in his speech goes back to elementals; he uses language as a Anderson in his speech goes back to elementals; he uses language as a protest against traditional conventional language and manner. He uses protest against traditional conventional language and manner. He uses language vitally and creates his book out of seemingly primitive language vitally and creates his book out of seemingly primitive language.language.

His style is bare, totally free of literary somersaults and rhetorical tricks His style is bare, totally free of literary somersaults and rhetorical tricks and elegancies.and elegancies.

His sentences are brief and simple, but strong, pure, and natural.His sentences are brief and simple, but strong, pure, and natural. Here can be found no literary diction, but fine colloquial American Here can be found no literary diction, but fine colloquial American

language that is lifted above the ardinary by fine sense of rhythm, language that is lifted above the ardinary by fine sense of rhythm, repetition, and the poetical expression and use of commonplace words repetition, and the poetical expression and use of commonplace words and phrases.and phrases.

It is not unjust to say that his style has greatly influenced Hemingway It is not unjust to say that his style has greatly influenced Hemingway and Farrell.and Farrell.

Anderson’s WritingAnderson’s Writing

Settings are in rural, small town Settings are in rural, small town AmericaAmerica

Towns are metaphorical volcanoesTowns are metaphorical volcanoes Style reflects realism and naturalismStyle reflects realism and naturalism Characters are often neuroticCharacters are often neurotic Writing reflects suspicion of middle Writing reflects suspicion of middle

classclass Writing attacks the Puritan ethicWriting attacks the Puritan ethic His “heroes” are social outcastsHis “heroes” are social outcasts

Anderson’s WritingAnderson’s Writing

One of his common symbols is the “egg”One of his common symbols is the “egg” Writing uses simple, country languageWriting uses simple, country language Stories are often told in retrospectStories are often told in retrospect Writing is highly psychological in contentWriting is highly psychological in content Uses stream of consciousness narrationUses stream of consciousness narration Often uses children as narratorsOften uses children as narrators Writing portrays the “gross” and “brutal” as having a certain Writing portrays the “gross” and “brutal” as having a certain

“beauty”“beauty”

Selected worksSelected works WINDY MCPHERSON'S SON, 1916, rev. ed., 1921 WINDY MCPHERSON'S SON, 1916, rev. ed., 1921 MARCHING MEN, 1917 MARCHING MEN, 1917 MID-AMERICAN CHANTS, 1918 MID-AMERICAN CHANTS, 1918 WINESBURG, OHIO, 1919 - Pikkukaupunki - TV drama in 1973, dir. by WINESBURG, OHIO, 1919 - Pikkukaupunki - TV drama in 1973, dir. by

Norman Norman Lloyd, starring Jean Peters, Joseph Bottoms, Timothy Bottoms Lloyd, starring Jean Peters, Joseph Bottoms, Timothy Bottoms POOR WHITE, 1920 POOR WHITE, 1920 A STORY-TELLER'S STORY, 1924 A STORY-TELLER'S STORY, 1924 THE TRIUMPS OF THE EGG, 1921 THE TRIUMPS OF THE EGG, 1921 HORSES AND MEN, 1923 HORSES AND MEN, 1923 MANY MARRIAGES, 1921 MANY MARRIAGES, 1921 DARK LAUGHTER, 1925 - Musta naurua DARK LAUGHTER, 1925 - Musta naurua HANDS AND OTHER STORIES, 1925 HANDS AND OTHER STORIES, 1925 THE MODERN WRITER, 1925 THE MODERN WRITER, 1925 SHERWOOD ANDERSON'S NOTEBOOK, 1926 SHERWOOD ANDERSON'S NOTEBOOK, 1926 HELLO TOWNS, 1929 HELLO TOWNS, 1929 A NEW TESTAMENT, 1927 A NEW TESTAMENT, 1927 TAR, A MIDWEST CHILDHOOD, 1926 TAR, A MIDWEST CHILDHOOD, 1926

Selected worksSelected works ALICE AND THE LOST NOVEL, 1929 ALICE AND THE LOST NOVEL, 1929 NEARER THE GRASS ROOTS, 1929 NEARER THE GRASS ROOTS, 1929 THE AMERICAN COUNTY FAIR, 1930 THE AMERICAN COUNTY FAIR, 1930 PERHAPS WOMEN, 1931 PERHAPS WOMEN, 1931 BEYOND DESIRE, 1932 BEYOND DESIRE, 1932 DEATH IN THE WOODS, 1933 DEATH IN THE WOODS, 1933 NO SWANK, 1934 NO SWANK, 1934 PUZZLED AMERICA, 1935 PUZZLED AMERICA, 1935 KIR BRANDON, 1936 KIR BRANDON, 1936 PLAYS, WINESBURG, AND OTHERS, 1937 PLAYS, WINESBURG, AND OTHERS, 1937 FIVE POEMS, 1939 FIVE POEMS, 1939 A WRITER'S CONCEPTION OF REALISM, 1939 A WRITER'S CONCEPTION OF REALISM, 1939 HOME TOWN, 1940 HOME TOWN, 1940 THE SHERWOOD ANDERSON READER, 1947 THE SHERWOOD ANDERSON READER, 1947 SHERWOOD ANDERSON'S MEMOIRS, 1942SHERWOOD ANDERSON'S MEMOIRS, 1942

Selected worksSelected works THE PORTABLE SHERWOOD ANDERSON, 1949 THE PORTABLE SHERWOOD ANDERSON, 1949 LETTERS OF SHERWOOD ANDERSON, 1953 LETTERS OF SHERWOOD ANDERSON, 1953 SHERWOOD ANDERSON'S SHORT STORIES, 1962 SHERWOOD ANDERSON'S SHORT STORIES, 1962 RETURN TO WINESBURG, 1967 RETURN TO WINESBURG, 1967 THE BUCK FEVER PAPERS, 1971 THE BUCK FEVER PAPERS, 1971 SHERWOOD ANDRSON'S SECRET LOVE LETTERS, 1991 SHERWOOD ANDRSON'S SECRET LOVE LETTERS, 1991 THE "WRITER'S BOOK2, 1975 THE "WRITER'S BOOK2, 1975 FRANCE AND SHERWOOD ANDERSON, 1976 FRANCE AND SHERWOOD ANDERSON, 1976 LETTERS TO BAB, 1985 LETTERS TO BAB, 1985 SHERWOOD ANDERSON'S EARLY WRITINGS, 1989SHERWOOD ANDERSON'S EARLY WRITINGS, 1989 CERTAIN THINGS LAST: SELECTED SHORT STORIES OF CERTAIN THINGS LAST: SELECTED SHORT STORIES OF

SHERWOOD ANDERSON, 1992SHERWOOD ANDERSON, 1992 CORRESPONDENCE SHWERWOOD ANDERSON / CORRESPONDENCE SHWERWOOD ANDERSON /

GERTRUDE STEIN, 1972GERTRUDE STEIN, 1972

Principal NovelsPrincipal Novels

Winesburg, OhioWinesburg, Ohio The work explores the theme of loneliness and The work explores the theme of loneliness and

frustration in small-town America. Anderson's writing frustration in small-town America. Anderson's writing often seems disjointed and tentative, a style that lends often seems disjointed and tentative, a style that lends itself to the half-conscious thoughts and raw emotions of itself to the half-conscious thoughts and raw emotions of Winesburg's residents and their inability to express their Winesburg's residents and their inability to express their deepest hopes and fears. The townspeople are deepest hopes and fears. The townspeople are grotesquesgrotesques, stunted , stunted morallymorally, , emotionallyemotionally, , mentallymentally, or , or spirituallyspiritually, and they are inarticulate. They seem to , and they are inarticulate. They seem to gravitate toward George, telling him their strange, often gravitate toward George, telling him their strange, often sad, stories in the hope that, in writing the stories of sad, stories in the hope that, in writing the stories of their lives, he will be able to impart dignity and meaning their lives, he will be able to impart dignity and meaning to their personal struggles and experiences.to their personal struggles and experiences.

Poor WhitePoor White A novel of small-town life by the famous A novel of small-town life by the famous

American author. Hugh McVey is an American author. Hugh McVey is an inventor of farm machinery who lives in the inventor of farm machinery who lives in the Midwest at the turn of the century, at just Midwest at the turn of the century, at just the point when modern technology begins the point when modern technology begins to transform rural America. A lonely and to transform rural America. A lonely and thoughtful man, McVey is ambivalent thoughtful man, McVey is ambivalent about the social changes he is helping to about the social changes he is helping to bring about and has deeply elegaic feelings bring about and has deeply elegaic feelings towards his daily world. Widely considered towards his daily world. Widely considered Anderson's finest work, it portrays a Anderson's finest work, it portrays a vanishing society with sympathy and stark vanishing society with sympathy and stark realism.realism.

Dark LaughterDark Laughter Dark Laughter was Sherwood Anderson's 1925 novel which took Dark Laughter was Sherwood Anderson's 1925 novel which took

up much the same theme as his 1923 novel Many Marriages, up much the same theme as his 1923 novel Many Marriages, though he read James Joyce's Ulysses in between. though he read James Joyce's Ulysses in between.

The influence of "Ulysses" is clear in Dark Laughter. While The influence of "Ulysses" is clear in Dark Laughter. While Winesburg, Ohio is Anderson's best known work today, Dark Winesburg, Ohio is Anderson's best known work today, Dark Laughter was the only bestseller of Anderson's lifetime. It has Laughter was the only bestseller of Anderson's lifetime. It has been out of print since the early 1960s and most contemporary been out of print since the early 1960s and most contemporary critics consider the novel a failure (among them Kim Townsend, critics consider the novel a failure (among them Kim Townsend, the author of the most recent biography of Anderson, published the author of the most recent biography of Anderson, published in 1985)--a failure due, in large part, to what many today consider in 1985)--a failure due, in large part, to what many today consider racist and sexist language and themes.racist and sexist language and themes.

Ernest Hemingway parodied Dark Laughter in his early short Ernest Hemingway parodied Dark Laughter in his early short work The Torrents of Spring. Hemingway's novella mocks the work The Torrents of Spring. Hemingway's novella mocks the pretensions of Anderson's style and characters, and the parody pretensions of Anderson's style and characters, and the parody ended the friendship between the young Hemingway and his ended the friendship between the young Hemingway and his former mentor.former mentor.

QuotationsQuotations ""Realism in so far as it means reality to life is always bad Realism in so far as it means reality to life is always bad

art."art." "That in the beginning when the world was young there were "That in the beginning when the world was young there were

a great many thoughts but no such thing as truth. Man made a great many thoughts but no such thing as truth. Man made the truths himself and each truth was a composite of a great the truths himself and each truth was a composite of a great many vague thoughts. All about in the world were truths and many vague thoughts. All about in the world were truths and they were all beautiful."they were all beautiful."

"Everyone in the world is Christ and they are all crucified.""Everyone in the world is Christ and they are all crucified." "Few know the sweetness of the twisted apples.""Few know the sweetness of the twisted apples." "My freedom sleeps in a mulberry bush. My country is in the "My freedom sleeps in a mulberry bush. My country is in the

shivering legs of a little lost dog."shivering legs of a little lost dog." ““You will have to know life,” she declared, and her voice You will have to know life,” she declared, and her voice

trembled with earnestness. She took hold of George trembled with earnestness. She took hold of George Willard’s shoulders and turned him about so that she could Willard’s shoulders and turned him about so that she could look into his eyes. A passer-by might have thought them look into his eyes. A passer-by might have thought them about to embrace. “If you are to become a writer you’ll have about to embrace. “If you are to become a writer you’ll have to stop fooling with words,” she explained. “It would be to stop fooling with words,” she explained. “It would be better to give up the notion of writing until you are better better to give up the notion of writing until you are better prepared. Now it’s time to be living. I don’t want to frighten prepared. Now it’s time to be living. I don’t want to frighten you, but I would like to make you understand the import of you, but I would like to make you understand the import of what you think of attempting. You must not become a mere what you think of attempting. You must not become a mere peddler of words. The thing to learn is to know what people peddler of words. The thing to learn is to know what people are thinking about, not what they say.”are thinking about, not what they say.”

"We got up at four in the morning, that first day in the east.""We got up at four in the morning, that first day in the east."