KEY LITERARY ELEMENTS

SETTING

All the short stories of this novel have been set in the imaginary town of Winesburg, Ohio, as the title of the book itself suggests. In some of the stories certain houses have been described as a part of the setting. While many incidents take place on the streets of the imaginary town of Winesburg. Doctor Reefy's office, Elizabeth Willard's hotel and the house of Helen White are described in the stories. The story 'Sophistication' takes place at a County Fair, in Winesburg. Though each story has a different background, they all have the common setting of Winesburg.

CHARACTER LIST
(repeatedly appearing in several stories)

George Willard - George is the common character in most (seventeen) of the stories in this volume. He is a newspaper reporter and does not seem to be a very sympathetic personality even though he is portrayed to be very accessible to people.

Helen White - She appears in many of the stories, either as an integral part of it or merely mentioned as a character. She is a beautiful woman who is the daughter of the Winesburg's bank president.

THEMES

The theme in each story differs and there is no common theme in any of the stories. Most of these Themes deal with human character and values. Certain traits of men and women, some obvious and some hidden, have been demonstrated. Marital relations have been dealt with, along with the need for companionship and affection. Certain psycho analytical behavior like excessive use of the hands, continually making paper balls, and running into the night stark naked, have been described and discussed.

The author has assimilated a wide range of human emotions, characters and behavioral patterns found in this one particular society.

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