Sherwood Anderson and Ernest Hemingway are two very influential American writers. Both have contributed a lot to the development of the short story, especially to its sub-genre, story of initiation, with various of their works. In this essay, I want to analyse some of their most famous stories in order to highlight some important initiatory aspects. Firstly, it is interesting to take a further look at the origins of the initiation term, in order to understand why it is applied to literary theorie. Then I will elaborate some important elements and common features to define the initiation story as a literary genre. In the following, to illustrate the theory, I will look at the way Sherwood Anderson built up his stories of initiation. To get a further idea of Anderson's texts and ideologies, I will shortly explain the Freudian influence on his texts and his opinion about American industrialisation. With those information in mind, one can easier understand, how he elaborates his theory of the grotesques, the characters of his work Winesburg, Ohio. In order to understand how this collection of short stories is contently held together, it is essential to have a look at George Willard, the protagonist, and his development and initiation. In the following chapter I will make plain, that the initiation theme is also a very important aspect in a lot of other short stories of Anderson, as for example in „I want to know why“, where a boy painfully has to encounter a form of sexual initiation. To be able to identify also other styles of creating initiation stories, I will focus on Hemingway's Nick Adams stories, on the first one, „Indian camp“, where young Nick is forcefully initiated to birth and death, and on the last one, „Fathers and sons“, where Nick as a father himself reflects on his past and his father. Finally, I will make a short comparison between both authors in order to be able to draw a conclusion in the end.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Initiation
- 3. Story of Initiation
- 4. Sherwood Anderson and his stories of initiation
- 4.1. Anderson and Freud
- 4.2. Industrialisation and its impact on innocence
- 4.3. Theory of the Grotesque
- 4.4. Initiation of George Willard in Winesburg, Ohio
- 4.5. "I want to know why"
- 5. Hemingway's Nick Adams
- 5.1. "Indian camp"
- 5.2. "Fathers and sons"
- 6. Comparison Anderson and Hemingway
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay analyzes the stories of initiation by Sherwood Anderson and Ernest Hemingway, highlighting key initiatory aspects. It explores the origins of the "initiation" term in literary theory, defines the elements of an initiation story, and examines how Anderson and Hemingway utilize this genre. The analysis will compare and contrast their approaches to this literary form.
- Definition and characteristics of the initiation story genre in literature
- Sherwood Anderson's thematic concerns and stylistic choices in his initiation stories
- Ernest Hemingway's portrayal of initiation and its relationship to his characters' development
- Comparative analysis of Anderson's and Hemingway's techniques in crafting initiation narratives
- The role of innocence and its loss in the initiation process within the selected stories
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the essay by establishing Sherwood Anderson and Ernest Hemingway as influential American writers who significantly contributed to the short story genre, particularly the subgenre of initiation stories. The author outlines the essay's structure, previewing the analysis of selected stories to highlight important initiatory aspects. It also touches upon the origins of the term "initiation" within literary theory and foreshadows the exploration of key elements and common features that define the initiation story as a literary genre.
2. Initiation: This chapter delves into the meaning of "initiation," tracing its etymological roots and examining its multiple interpretations. By referencing the Oxford English Dictionary and anthropological perspectives, the author explores the concept of initiation as both a beginning and a transformative process, often involving a transition from childhood to adulthood or a shift in understanding and perspective. The chapter highlights the concept of a simultaneous death and rebirth, signifying the ending of one phase and the beginning of another.
3. Story of Initiation: This chapter explores the application of the term "initiation" to literary theory. It examines the concept of the initiation story as a narrative structure where a character undergoes a significant, often life-changing, experience that leads to a new level of understanding. The chapter compares and contrasts the concept of the initiation story with the German term "Bildungsroman," highlighting similarities and differences. It discusses the three-part structure of initiation – innocence, experience, and maturity – and explores different areas of initiation, such as sexual initiation or initiation to pain and death, as well as the loss of innocence as a crucial component of the process.
4. Sherwood Anderson and his stories of initiation: This chapter focuses on Sherwood Anderson's work, examining his initiation stories through various lenses. It explores the influence of Freudian psychology on his writing, considering his views on industrialization and its impact on innocence. The chapter delves into Anderson's theory of the grotesque and analyzes the collection Winesburg, Ohio, highlighting the development and initiation of its protagonist, George Willard. Furthermore, it examines another short story by Anderson, "I want to know why," to illustrate a different aspect of initiation, specifically sexual initiation.
5. Hemingway's Nick Adams: This chapter shifts focus to Ernest Hemingway's portrayal of initiation through the lens of Nick Adams' experiences. It analyzes two of his stories, "Indian Camp," where Nick's initiation involves confronting birth and death, and "Fathers and sons," where Nick reflects on his past and his father. The chapter examines how Hemingway employs different narrative techniques to depict initiation within the context of Nick Adams's development and understanding of the world around him, and the significance of his relationship with his father.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Initiation stories, Sherwood Anderson, Ernest Hemingway, literary theory, bildungsroman, innocence, experience, maturity, American literature, short stories, psychological development, industrialization, the grotesque, death, birth, father-son relationships.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of Initiation Stories by Sherwood Anderson and Ernest Hemingway
What is the main topic of this essay?
This essay analyzes initiation stories by Sherwood Anderson and Ernest Hemingway, comparing and contrasting their approaches to this literary genre. It explores the definition and characteristics of initiation stories, examines the authors' thematic concerns and stylistic choices, and analyzes the role of innocence and its loss in the initiation process.
What are the key themes explored in the essay?
Key themes include the definition and characteristics of the initiation story genre, Sherwood Anderson's thematic concerns and stylistic choices, Ernest Hemingway's portrayal of initiation and character development, a comparative analysis of both authors' techniques, and the role of innocence and its loss in the initiation process. Specific examples from Anderson's Winesburg, Ohio and Hemingway's Nick Adams stories are analyzed.
Which authors are discussed in this essay?
The essay focuses on the works of Sherwood Anderson and Ernest Hemingway, specifically their initiation stories. It examines how each author uses this literary form to explore themes of innocence, experience, maturity, and the transition from childhood to adulthood.
What is an initiation story?
The essay defines the initiation story as a narrative structure where a character undergoes a significant, often life-changing, experience leading to a new level of understanding. It's compared to the Bildungsroman, exploring similarities and differences. The three-part structure (innocence, experience, maturity) is discussed, along with various types of initiation, including sexual initiation and initiation to pain and death.
How does Sherwood Anderson portray initiation in his stories?
The essay examines Anderson's initiation stories through the lens of Freudian psychology, exploring the impact of industrialization on innocence and his theory of the grotesque. Specific examples are drawn from Winesburg, Ohio (focusing on George Willard) and "I want to know why," highlighting different aspects of initiation.
How does Ernest Hemingway portray initiation in his stories?
The essay analyzes Hemingway's portrayal of initiation through the experiences of Nick Adams in stories like "Indian Camp" (confronting birth and death) and "Fathers and sons" (reflecting on the past and father-son relationships). It examines Hemingway's narrative techniques and their contribution to depicting initiation and Nick Adams' development.
What is the purpose of comparing Anderson and Hemingway?
The comparative analysis aims to highlight the similarities and differences in how Anderson and Hemingway approach the initiation story genre. It examines their unique stylistic choices, thematic concerns, and the ways they depict the process of initiation and its impact on their characters.
What are the key elements of the initiation process as discussed in the essay?
Key elements include innocence, experience, and maturity. The essay also highlights the loss of innocence as a crucial component of the initiation process, often involving a simultaneous death and rebirth, signifying the transition from one phase of life to another.
What are some of the key terms or keywords used in the essay?
Keywords include initiation stories, Sherwood Anderson, Ernest Hemingway, literary theory, Bildungsroman, innocence, experience, maturity, American literature, short stories, psychological development, industrialization, the grotesque, death, birth, and father-son relationships.
What is the structure of the essay?
The essay is structured to provide a comprehensive overview of initiation stories, beginning with an introduction defining the topic and outlining the essay's structure. Subsequent chapters delve into the meaning of initiation, explore the initiation story as a literary genre, analyze the works of Anderson and Hemingway, and conclude with a comparison of their approaches.
- Quote paper
- Stefanie Brunn (Author), 2006, Sherwood Anderson's and Ernest Hemingway's stories of initiation, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/77103
