Among all the stories from Winesburg, Ohio, one stands out as a clear example of character growth through emotional maturity and connection with another being human "Sophistication" tells this story, one of the simultaneous climax of two peoples' youth and their epiphanic transition to adulthood and maturity. Through the characters' internal and shared conflicts, their subsequent resolution, the plot structure and the fundamental style and word choice of Anderson's writing, a pair of confused and isolated teenagers find the companionship they need at the moment they need to become adults together. .Anderson's choice of words and style throughout the story clearly establishes the story's themes of domestic life and coming of age Get a custom essay on “Why Violent Video Games. should not be banned”? Get the original essay First, Anderson begins by setting the story in the wake of the county fair, a place of youthful revelry for adults and children. there never was one. By combining the adult and the juvenile here, Anderson establishes that this story will discuss the boundaries between the two and what separates a man from a boy and a woman from a girl. Additionally, Anderson repeatedly touches on the transience and absurdity of life in the story, noting that 18-year-old George "already hears...death calling", and that "it seemed to [Helen] that the world was full. of insignificant people uttering words” (151). His final sentence of a paragraph describing the emotions one feels in a deserted fairground, "One shudders at the thought of the absurdity of life...", further demonstrates this notion. However, the conclusion of this very sentence, "...and if the townspeople are his people, one loves life so intensely that tears come to one's eyes", demonstrates that Anderson is not in despair (154 ). It reassures the reader that while they may face such problems from time to time, moments of existential despair are often outweighed by moments of equally existential joy, and that life is a curse and a wonderful and terrible fate imposed on us. . George's former immaturity is a central theme of the story, as a thought exercise that George undertakes and for which he feels shame. This immaturity is reflected in the style in which Anderson depicts the summer night that George and Helen spent together. What is telling about the scene is Helen's complete lack of speech and George's boastful speech. Anderson makes it clear that an insecure George had wanted Helen to respect him, that he wanted to "make himself seem big and significant in her eyes." » (151). Anderson makes sure the reader knows that underneath the speech, George is a scared young man, yearning for validation from this girl before him. Several sentences followed one another: “The confused boy… His voice trembled… In his despair, Georges boasted” (152). George constantly attempts to put on an outward facade of masculinity, while internally he is isolated and alone. Furthermore, George isolates Helen in his attempt to become closer to her, by removing her free will, as evidenced by his lack of dialogue. He said, “I want you to do something. I don't know what. Maybe it's none of my business. I want you to try to be something different from other women. You see the point. It's none of my business, I tell you. I want you to be a beautiful woman. You see what I want. (152). Not only does George silence her, but all he talks about is what he wants for her, regardless of her desire, well.