1. Sherwood Anderson Winesburg, Ohio RUNDOWN Major Themes “Hands” & Wing The Grotesque “Mother” “Adventure” George Willard Small Towns Big Finish

4. How does “Hands” fit into the major themes of Sherwood Anderson? What happened in the scene with George Willard (1424) to make Wing Biddlebaum change so fast from being inspiring as Anderson described to scared and nervous? Is Wing a homosexual? Does it matter? RUNDOWN Major Themes “Hands” & Wing The Grotesque “Mother” “Adventure” George Willard Small Towns Big Finish

7. In what way(s) is Elizabeth Willard an example of a grotesque character? How is/was she “in the act of becoming?” How does the cat and baker episode (1427) seem to rehearse her own life? When Elizabeth Willard was praying about her son, why did she say “And do not let him become smart and successful either”? (1427) RUNDOWN Major Themes “Hands” & Wing The Grotesque “Mother” “Adventure” George Willard Small Towns Big Finish

8. What do you think about the ending of this section? How does it make you feel? Are you confused? What do you think Anderson is trying to say by calling Alice’s action at the end an “adventure?” RUNDOWN Major Themes “Hands” & Wing The Grotesque “Mother” “Adventure” George Willard Small Towns Big Finish

9. George Willard is a writer in training. Now, think back to Hemingway and “The Snows of Kilimanjaro.” Harry, the main character was also a writer. With these two writers in mind, what seems to be the role or duty of the writer? RUNDOWN Major Themes “Hands” & Wing The Grotesque “Mother” “Adventure” Why might Anderson constantly refer to a poet in “Hands”? George Willard Small Towns Big Finish

10. Do you think the fact that Anderson grew up in a small town had an impact on his writing of Winesburg, Ohio? What other biographical aspects may have influenced the composition of this novel? RUNDOWN Major Themes “Hands” & Wing The Grotesque “Mother” “Adventure” George Willard Small Towns Big Finish

13. Extra Credit… What do we think? RUNDOWN Major Themes “Hands” & Wing The Grotesque “Mother” “Adventure” George Willard Small Towns Big Finish