Winesburg, Ohio

Only recently have I begun reading the novel Winesburg, Ohio. Novel is a misleading term, which I use loosely, as the author writes the novel as a compilation of short stories rather than a direct novel that is fleshed out in chapters. The beginning of the novel, or at least what I have read, attests to the idea that some scholars propose; the stories are actually connected and the book is more a novel than traditionally assumed. While possibly too earlier to know, my earliest thoughts seem to indicate that the collection of short stories can in fact be interpreted as loosely tired together novel. Anderson’s prolific use of symbols in the first couple chapters shows that the stories are interwoven through specific objects and repetition of specific motifs. The other aspect that ties the short stories together is the repetition of characters throughout the few stories I have already read. There are multiple indications that Sherwood Anderson intended the book to be a novel, this can be seen through his use of continued symbolism and character repetition.

            The first indication of the “novel” feature of Anderson’s short stories is the continued use of repeating themes that symbols that show the central feature of the events of Winesburg, Ohio’s daily life.  The first use of symbolism shown in the novel starts in the chapter Hands. In Hands Anderson portrays Wing Biddlebaum as a troubled old man who is affected by his past troubles. His trouble stem from an event in his past, this event which occurred sometime under his previous life, was ultimately a horrendous accusation of molestation of a young boy and was chased out town, he was forced to change is name and live a rather secluded life. The aftermath of these events results in Wing being unable to control violent shaking and trembling of his hands. This use of hands continues in the next chapter as well. Titled Mother, this chapter focuses on George Willard’s mother, whom, similar to Wing, lives a secluded life and is trouble by past experiences. The most significant piece of this short story that connects it to the other is his mother’s hands which also tremble, as she walks down the hallway. In both instances, characters are troubled by a past event which has shaped ultimately the rest of their lifestyle and the way they are viewed socially, and this is expressed through the mannerisms seen directly in the movement of their hands.

            The second piece of evidence that indicates that Winesburg, Ohio is actually a novel rather than a compilation of short stories is the use of widespread character repetition. In the first few chapters, George’s character is repeated in at least one part of each short story. This may represent his role as a larger character throughout the novel in its entirety. Taking into account that I have not yet completed the novel, the earliest indications seem to be that the repetition of characters, such as George may represent the significant role of the characters and how they interact in the rest of the novel.