In his collection of short stories about a simple American country town, Winesburg, Ohio, Sherwood Anderson offers a critique of the emerging modern society of the early 20th century. Anderson establishes his disillusionment with modernity by presenting the contemporary era in a materialistic and somewhat sad way. It uses literary devices, specific characters and plots to depict a small town on the verge of transitioning to a modern society, rebelling against traditional values ​​to create a feeling of isolation and degeneration. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay Throughout the novel, Anderson uses a clear, understated voice in an effort to portray the simplicity of those whose lives he reports on. Anderson uses one main tool to show how isolated the town's individuals truly are: George Willard, the reporter for the local newspaper The Winesburg Eagle. George serves as a go-between for the entire town. The residents of Winesburg feel so isolated and alone that they can only confide in someone who seems removed from the problems of the small town. Thus, the people of Winesburg see George as a symbolic sanctuary in which to share their life stories, secrets, and private concerns. Doctor Parcival is one of the first characters to openly confide in George Willard. Parcival himself does not understand why he is attracted to George, saying: "Why I want to talk to you about this subject, I don't know. I could stay quiet and get more credit in your eyes. I want to make you admire me, that's a fact, I don't know why Doctor Parcival's words communicate a fundamental human desire - the desire to belong - a theme present throughout the book. He has no one to share his life with in the new town of Winesburg. For Anderson, Parcival represents the typical turn-of-the-century man, struggling to accept modernity. He is not capable of simply communicating his personal emotions. of this, he points to George as someone who might appreciate what he has to say. Anderson even addresses the degeneration of religion in America. world in the world is Christ and they are all crucified” represents Parcival’s distorted view of religion. When Parcival refuses to help the girl who is thrown from the tank, he demonstrates his reluctance to help the same men who reject his theories and concerns. Even more, Parcival's fear that men will "return with a rope in their hands" is symbolic of the gap between modern man and his peers. “Godliness” is the word used wistfully to describe Jesse Bentley, the estranged town elder who is on the verge of being labeled a Christian extremist. At the beginning of the chapter, there is an obvious contrast between Jesse and his descendants. Anderson provides a strong visual element in his writing: “By the standards of his time, Jesse did not look like a man at all. He was short and very thin with a feminine body. It is also relevant, in relation to the theme of religious degeneration, to note that Jesse attempts – and later fails – to become a Presbyterian minister. Only then did he return to manage the family farm. Jesse proves to be the character most focused on power and capital. He is a metaphor for the commonality of the disillusioned modern man, who attempts to achieve happiness through capital gain and superiority. Jesse's modern tendencies are evident in his ignorance.