Sherwood Anderson as the Father of Realism

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Sherwood Anderson as the Father of Realism Sherwood Anderson is identified as the "Father of Realism", the master of characterization, and the creator of the epiphany. He broke through the barriers of Classic American Literature and introduced a style that is focused on distinct moments. Although remarkable, many of his stories lack the traditional structure of plot. Instead Anderson states that these single bursts of inspiration are the stories of people, and are therefore to be left untouched upon completion. His crowning achievement, Winesburg, Ohio, is a collection of anecdotes focusing on a town of "grotesques". These tragically hopeless people cannot convey their passion to others. Each has centered his or her life around a profound truth that only he or she is able to recognize; the response the grotesque receives concerning this understanding inevitably leads to their tribulation. Lonely recluses, they continuously struggle with their contained feelings. Anderson portrays moments in which the passion tries to resurface, but no longer has the strength to do so. In essence, these "adventures" are tiny glimpses of failure. The grotesques each represent "a moment, a mood, or a secret that lay deep in Anderson's life and for which he was finding the right words for at last." (4) The book is Anderson's form of expression, not unlike the hands of the main character in his most acclaimed piece: "Hands". In this story, a little man, Wing Biddlebaum, lives isolated from the town of Winesburg. His solitude is a result of a tragic experience years before. He had been a gifted schoolteacher who motivated young boys with his hands until one young student spread wild rumors about him. The Pennsylvanian town was qui... ... middle of paper ... ...ther." (14) Each of the grotesques depicted follow a unanimous theme of being gifted, creative dreamers. Unable to satisfy their hunger for life and expression, their desolation is multiplied. The most critical theme found throughout Anderson's stories is the clear reflection of real life. The problems faced by the people are actual troubles faced by society at large. The only difference is that these tribulations, as well as their effects, are exaggerated to make a point. Everyone lies to himself or herself at one time or another, and living outside one's heart is not uncommon. All individuals have some way of uniquely expressing themselves, some passion to focus their lives on. Perhaps Anderson is trying to warn us that the decision to establish all of one's existence on an absolute truth transforms people into grotesques, and thus their truths into lies.

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