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Essay / The erroneous notion of the city and a superior alternative to Winesburg, Ohio
The last sentence of Winesburg, Ohio prints the image of the city disappearing as George Willard leaves for the city. In fact, to view the novel in larger units, the last chapter is clearly named "Departure", and for any reader who takes the trouble to consult the table of contents before starting the book, it is quite easy to deduce how Winesburg, Ohio will end before it even begins. The notion of escaping the town of Winesburg is common throughout the book, and the intended destination for the escape is usually an undefined "town". As a recurring element, however, it fits into a broader theme of the novel, that of the need for change in general. The two means by which change can occur can be classified as explosion and flight, each occupying slightly different niches in the novel. The escape, being the climactic event of the novel, is clearly emphasized. But examination reveals that flight to the city is a largely erroneous notion, idealized by many, but one that yields bitter results in reality and little better, empirically, than life in Winesburg. Outburst actually serves as a slightly more effective outlet for the anxieties of the citizens of Winesburg. Say no to plagiarism. Get Custom Essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get Original EssayThe explosion in Winesburg, Ohio can be defined as one of many actions that occur suddenly and often quite spontaneously, undertaken by the adults of Winesburg. Prime examples include Alice Hindman running naked through the streets in "Adventure", Kate Swift passionately kissing George Willard then running out of the room in "The Teacher", and the series of explosive events of the last night in "The Strength of God.” "The escape requires little explanation. The escape from Winesburg occurs late in the novel, at the end of the "Godliness" stories, and it occurs or is discussed in many other stories set in Winesburg, Ohio. notion of escape also carries a unique association with the related element of entry into Winesburg Doctor Parcival in "The Philosopher" and Wing Biddlebaum in "Hands" are two characters from elsewhere in Winesburg. escape and entry is the idea of what is happening outside of Winesburg. These three ideas are related in that they represent the three states of being in relation to the city that are so frequently encountered. discussed: the movement toward the city, the move away from the city, and life within the city All three figure prominently in Winesburg, Ohio The importance of the city's return and the events that took place. take place there would not seem very important in the analysis of the escape to the city without the cult or mythical status that it takes on. given in the book. The book's final story illuminates this point, as George Willard sets out "to meet the adventure of life" (153). It is not known which city Willard is leaving for. This non-specific designation of “the city” (or “a city”) appears frequently. Seth Richmond in "The Thinker", Curtis Hartman in "The Strength of God", and Alice Hindman in "Adventure" all use these vague words in their rather vague plans to leave Winesburg. Although this inability to name specific cities as destinations could be attributable to the vagueness of their projects or their ambivalence, it appears more as a literary tool. First, it is unlikely that George Willard would be without an official destination, and yet none is officially named in "Departure." Second, the consistency with which Winesburg residents hoping to move to a town neglect to name aactual city suggests that this was a deliberate decision in Anderson's mind. This decision can probably be lumped into Anderson's overall tone, which emphasizes the bucolic worldview of the residents of small-town Winesburg. Given this elevation of the city concept, it is therefore necessary to examine the evidence provided by Anderson.concerning what actually happens in cities, and to what extent this is known to the residents of Winesburg, Ohio, who aspire to leave for them. There's actually a surprising amount of material here. Despite the presumed concept of the entire book as a chronicle of life in Winesburg, many stories deal partially or entirely with events experienced in the towns. “Loneliness” is a story set in Winesburg but otherwise takes place in the city, as does “Hands,” to a lesser extent. It's outside of Winesburg that some of the worst real-life events actually happen. The accusations of sexual assault and the threat of mob violence in "Hands" are two events that surpass anything that happens within the confines of Winesburg in terms of significance beyond the personal and psychological level. The town is where alcoholics live ("Tandy"), where affairs happen ("Respectability"), as opposed to the adultery that flourishes but never comes true in Winesburg ("Death"), and where the murder is a real event rather than an actual event. a news item ("The Philosopher"). So it seems that Anderson is using the city for two distinct purposes. The first is a way to write about sensational or disastrous events that ruin people's lives without having to disturb the superficial calm of little Winesburg. The town's second use is as a somewhat undefined and foggy place that can nicely serve as an idealized "other place" for some dissatisfied Winesburg residents. The above-mentioned disadvantages that the city possesses should make it a less attractive and even unfavorable destination for people. “a thousand George Willards” who leave Winesburg for the city (152). The city is not completely written off, however, for two reasons. The first is that people who leave Winesburg are not necessarily looking for a good or even better life. Their main desires are simply change and freedom. When the Reverend Curtis Hartman considers leaving for the city to "go into business," it is clear that he chooses such an alternative only out of fear of not being able to pursue his preferred career and lifestyle (90). . Similarly, Seth Richmond, in "The Thinker," tells himself that he will "go to a city and go to work" only because he is "depressed at the thought of not being a part of life in his own city ". (78). The city is not considered with certainty as a paradise. The second reason why the city manages to exist as a premier destination is the severe communication breakdown in the city. Quite simply, no one may know about the bad things happening in the city. The stories of Wash Williams, Wing Biddlebaum, Enoch Robinson and other refugees from the city are unknown. There is a clear contact gap between many groups, including the elderly and young people. And it’s the young people who want to go to town and the old people who come back. The only person who knows all the stories of the town is George Willard, but these stories can be seen as an incentive for him, as a journalist, to go out there and find out more. these stories are always specific in naming the exact city in which things take place. Obviously, the city loses its mystique once reached. But no.