Winesburg, Ohio

I’m glad we were required to read Winesburg, Ohio. All of the stories are quirky, interesting, and meaningful which makes it a very pleasurable read. Although there are many themes presented throughout the novel, I especially noticed the “coming of age” theme. I suppose that’s because I am getting closer to that step from childhood to young adulthood. Some of the words I indexed were “white” and “awkward” which I think have a significant meaning to the text. White connotates to “pure” and “innocent” which describe the blissfulness of childhood. Maybe Anderson wants the readers to really feel the transition from childhood to adulthood by describing as much as possible with his usage of “white”. Also, awkward is a key part of growing up and I noted that most people in the stories were at one point described as awkward. “White” and “awkward” are just a couple of the things described to emulate a childlike feel. Maybe Anderson’s hope is to acknowledge the struggles of growing up but also note the importance of getting over it and embracing adulthood, like George does. I can definitely appreciate that message because right now I certainly don’t want to grow up. But then again, it’s going to happen and I mine as well make the best of it. Additionally the idea of absolute truth is portrayed throughout the novel. Maybe it’s because no one can really feel content without the truth and if you don’t know the truth then it’s hard to move on with life. So George probably has trouble growing up because he lacks truth. All of the stories help him discover his truth. All of the people of Winesburg have been telling themselves lies whether about happiness or loneliness or love or success, these lies make them miserable. George finds out the absolute truth by learning from these people’s mistakes and lies. His knowledge will make him successful in life. In the end “his life there had become but a background on which to paint the dreams of his manhood”(247). This last quotation shows that George has learned a lot from his past. He has taken advantage of the stories his fellow towns people have told him and he is using them for his own success. George knows the truth which has sent him fully armed into manhood. We physically see his manhood when he is taller than his father. This physical change represents his mental ability to become an adult. He also pays no attention to Helen white at the end of the novel. Just beforehand he had been having a wonderful time with her- his lack of interest shows that he is ready to totally and completely move on. Childhood is something holy in some aspects. It’s innocence and bliss and once it is gone, it is gone forever. Anderson shows the importance and extremity of growing up which everybody, especially my peers and me, can relate to.