This book is often considered to be the first really 'modern' American novel. Sherwood Anderson (1876 - 1941) assured himself of a distinctive position in the history of American literature when he wrote Winesburg, Ohio. He broke away from the tradition of gentility that had dominated fiction writing in the United States. The story concerns an inward reality that focuses on the psychology of individuals within a small American town. It consists of a collection of loosely related stories that centres on the character of George Willard, the town's reporter. The book is not an authentic representation of life in the Midwest in 1900 as the focus is on the struggles of alienated individuals, rather than on the plot. There are no happily married couples, no united families and no fulfilled sex lives. Indeed, sex is shown to be a frustration and a trap.

Anderson was among the first American writers to demonstrate an awareness of the implications of Sigmund Freud and D. H. Lawrence. It was because of his efforts that the short story became an important form of literature. However, his reputation was never secure and at the time of his death in 1941, critics began to examine his achievements. It was said that his work lacked the "mark of high distinction that is needed to set off his undoubted originality." (2.)

Nevertheless, Anderson's literary technique has made Winesburg, Ohio stand out as an unforgettable classic. It reveals a Mid-western American world that seems isolated from the rest of civilisation. As a book Winesburg is well constructed and its design is uniform. It follows the pattern of a theme or statement of a character being introduced, which is then followed by a retelling of incidents that are simply variations of the theme. Occasionally Anderson lets the lyrical flow of language falter but in terms of form the book is well written. It contains a good choice of detail and each individual story reads as part of a continual poem.

The book reflects Anderson's personal life and many of the characters of the stories are drawn from this. The Willards, an unhappy couple whose conflicting desires for their son's future almost cause an act of murder between them, are claimed to have been inspired by the writer's memories of his parents and of his boyhood. The positive aspect of the book is drawn from the individual's struggle with himself and others. In Mother we witness George Willard discuss his ambitions with his discouraging father, and then hear these dreams retold, by George, to his mother. George is resilient and admits to his mother that he has to leave the town and disappoint his father. As in all the chapters the reader is shown similar individual quests of freedom and fulfilment.

What makes Winesburg Ohio a masterpiece is Anderson's rejection of the plot as the main focal point. Instead he captivates the essence of humanity through the struggles of his solitary characters. Ultimately, the tales within Winesburg, Ohio demonstrate an illumination of people's lives with a touch of human sympathy and an element of myth.

Posted 13 February 2003

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