Sherwood Anderson,sShort Stone§ A Study in Theme and Technique with SPeclal Refrence to ti§ lhree Short StorY Collection§ Wtnesburp, Ohio Horses and Men And Death in the wooods

Abstract

This thesis aims at presenting an extensive study of Sherwood Anderson's literary career ( 18 7 6-1941 ), as one of the most distinguished short story writers in the twentieth century. Since his early beginnings in the field of literature in general, and short story, in particular, Anderson set it incumbent upon himself to be different from his predecessors, as regards the form and content of his short stories. As for the form, Anderson rejects to shape his stories within the framework of the- traditional plot; he is not inclined towards tracing the development of an event, but rather towards depicting its psychological impact on a disturbed individual. As for the content, Anderson is not attracted towards presenting commonplace stories that deal with everyday life matters. Instead, he weaves the threads of his stories around fragments of thoughts and feelings that lay deep in the unconscious of a confused character. Furthermore, Anderson chooses a highly effective technique that suits the nature of the story content and the type of characters portrayed. Instead of abiding by the traditional plot, Anderson builds his short • stories upon a significant moment in the life of the character presented

within the story. Accordingly, Anderson replaces the plot by what he calls the "form"; he shapes his stories within a general framework that unites fragments of events in a character's life. In view of all these points of uniqueness and distinction, the researcher is encouraged to step inside the literary world of Anderson so as to prove his mastery in the field of short story. The thesis is devoted to analyzing many of Anderson's short stories that stand as landmarks in the realm of short story. The thesis falls into four chapters and a conclusion. The first chapter is devoted to presenting a survey of the _C.:. .velopment of the art of short story, particularly in America. The second chapter comprises the analysis of some of the stories of Anderson's first