Sophistication | The Simplicity of Winesburg, Ohio

In the following excerpt, the author offers his interpretation of ‘‘Sophistication’’ as the climax of George’s coming of age.

Where ‘‘An Awakening’’ records a defeat, ‘‘Sophistication’’ records in all ways a triumph. Though Anderson presents the moment in essay rather than dramatic form, there comes to George, as to ‘‘every boy,’’ a flash of insight when ‘‘he stops under a tree and waits as for a voice calling his name.’’ But this time ‘‘the voices outside himself’’ do not speak of the possibilities of universal order, nor do they speak of guilt. Instead they ‘‘whisper a message concerning the limitations of life,’’ the brief light of human existence between two...

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