Summary Of Winesburg Ohio Essay Research Paper

Summary Of Winesburg Ohio Essay, Research Paper

Short Summary of Winesburg, Ohio

“Prologue: “The Book of the Grotesque”

An old writer hired a carpenter to raise his bed level with the windows. The carpenter wept telling the old writer about his brother’s death. Lying in bed, the old writer’s thoughts of dying made him more alive. He dreamt of versions of people he had known and wrote a book entitled “The Book of the Grotesque.” He wrote that the world had been filled by thoughts which man made into beautiful truths. The figures grasped one of the truths as absolute. This decision transformed the figure into a grotesque and truth into a lie.

“Hands”

Wing Biddlebaum lived isolated from town life. He would hear ghostly voices and spoke closely only with George Willard. Wing tried desperately to hide his hands. One day, Wing revealed his hands without noticing and caressed George’s shoulder while talking. Suddenly, Wing ran quickly home. Wing had previously been a school teacher named Adolf Myers who was loved by the boys he taught. He spoke of dreams and touched their shoulders. One boy invented unspeakable things and the town drove out Adolf. He moved to Winesburg and was ashamed by his innocent hands.

“Paper Pills”

Doctor Reefy was an old man with large knuckles. After his girl-wife’s death, he would sit in his office and write thoughts on paper. The thoughts formed balls in his pockets until he developed a truth. The truth grew to terrible proportions before Doctor Reefy began again.

The girl visited the Doctor because she was pregnant. After her parents’ death, suitors had pounced upon her. Once she had visited Doctor Reefy, she did not want to leave. They married in the fall. The Doctor read his little scraps of paper to her before she died that spring.

“Mother”

Elizabeth and Tom Willard owned the New Willard House. As a girl, Elizabeth was passionate. Some disease had since dulled her. Tom was ashamed of her. A bond existed between Elizabeth and George. Elizabeth prayed that George would live to express meaning for them. When George did not visit, Elizabeth grew worried. She overheard Tom tell the boy to snap out of his dreaminess. Elizabeth secretly decided to stab Tom. George explained to her that he just wanted to think but because of something his father said, he was leaving. His mother wanted to cry with joy but she no longer could.

“The Philosopher”

Doctor Parcival’s left eye lid flapped like a window shade. He lived in his dirty office. He liked George Willard and told him stories about himself. His mother liked his brother the most even though his brother was selfish. Parcival hoped to convince George to be like his brother, a superior being.

An accident occurred and a girl was thrown from a stagecoach. Someone ran up to Parcival but he refused to see the dead girl. When George arrived, Parcival thought that he would be hanged. Parcival pleaded with George to inform the world that all people are Christ and are crucified.

“Nobody Knows”

George Willard had been nervous all day. Deciding to act, he ran into the night so he would not lose his courage. George called to Louise Trunnion, as she washed dishes in the kitchen. Louise asked how he was sure she wanted to see him. George felt frustrated because he had received a letter from her.

As they walked, George was afraid to touch Louise but finally decided to be man. When George got back to town later, he happily found a man to talk to. Walking home, he thought how Louise had nothing on him.

“Godliness” Part I

During the Civil War, four Bentley sons were killed. Growing old, Mr. Bentley turned the farm over to his weak son, Jesse. He brought a gentle wife from the city and allowed her to overwork herself. She died from childbirth. The entire farm was scared of him. At a young age, Jesse had given himself to God. He would ask God to grant him favors. When Katherine was expected to give birth, Jesse pleaded with God for a son he could name for the Biblical David. Then they could ward off the Ohio farmers who were enemies of God.

“Godliness” Part II

David was born to Louise, Jesse’s daughter, and John Hardy. Due to his mother’s moodiness, David was unhappy. He loved Jesse’s farm and once tried to run away to it. When David returned, his mother cared for him kinder than she ever had.

David went to live with Jesse and was much happier. Jesse believed that his prayers had been answered. He took David into the woods, hoping a miracle would finally occur. The boy was frightened and ran into the woods, falling. When he awoke, he was safe in his grandfather’s arms. Jesse cried out sadly to God.

“Surrender” Part III

Louise Bentley was unwanted at birth. At fifteen, she was sent to the Hardy family to attend school. Louise’s hard work made the Hardy girls resent her. Louise looked to John Hardy for companionship. Encountering Mary Hardy with a boy, Louise wished she too could be loved. She wrote John a note.

Weeks passed. When John responded, Louise loved him. Afraid that Louise was pregnant, they married. Louise wanted a partner but John wanted sex. Louise felt trapped by her new life. When David was born, she recoiled. A boy did not need her help.

“Terror” Part IV

When David Hardy was fifteen,

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