Abstract:Sherwood Anderson is one of the remarkable figures in modern American literature. His works unfold the living condition during the transitional period before our eyes. Winesburg, Ohio, his most renowned story collection, depicts many vivid pictures of small town life to us. The characters in this book are suffering both physically and psychologically. Among the psychological problem, the blockage of communication has been especially paid attention to.

This paper is a study of failed communication among the characters. Chapter one talks about the backgrounds. By taking a glimpse of the social background, we could have an impression of the roaring industrialization and its impact to the society. Sherwood Anderson’s early experience as a town boy gives him a special affection for small towns and small town people. This gives us a hint for understanding the book. 

Chapter two aims to give some examples of failed communication shown in the book. To make it clear, it is divided into four catalogs--the failed communication between mother and son, between man and woman, between individual and society, and the last, between God and human beings. The four catalogs give us abundant evidences of people’s suffering from the failed communication.

Chapter three tries to analyze the causes of failed communication. There are four aspects that cause the problem, they are: the trauma of past experiences, the loss of love, the coming of industrialization and the diminishing religious belief.

Key words: Winesburg, Ohio; Failed communication; Small town; Industrialization

Contents

Abstract

摘要

Introduction-4

Chapter One Backgrounds-4

1.1 Social Background-5

1.2 Sherwood Anderson and His Life Experiences-6

Chapter Two Analysis of Failed Communication-7

2.1 Failed Communication Between Mother and Son-8

2.2 Failed Communication Between Man and Woman-9

2.3 Failed Communication Between Individual and Society-11

2.4 Failed Communication Between God and Human Being-14

Chapter Three Causes of Failed Communication-15

3.1 Past Experiences-16

3.2 The Loss of Love-17

3.3 Industrialization-18

3.4 Religion-19

Conclusion-20

Bibliography-20

Acknowledgments-21