Opinion: Being reclusive results in the exclusion of a meaningful life

Learn about the dangers of not living life to the fullest from one of the greatest works of modern American literature.

Being stuck in a monotonous routine can damage the ability to grow. Changes to a particular order of events are vital in order for people to develop into more well-rounded individuals. There is also the classic contrast between wishing for positive change to occur, and taking the actual initiative. That is because being able to summon up the courage to pursue such ambitions, rather than remaining idle, is essential to personal development. With these ideas, Sherwood Anderson’s Winesburg, Ohio reveals how repression contributes to monotony that can result in stagnation; having a sense of desire and determination can lead to growth and maturation.

The story “Paper Pills” examines the nature of repression by exhibiting the peculiar behavior of its main character. Within this particular story, Doctor Reefy is a writer who would write papers that would form the shape of pyramids, but would also disregard them. He would also allow the writings to accumulate so that he could never learn to accept the truths that he would write about. Instead, he would simply tear the scraps of paper rather than learn from them. Therefore, Doctor Reefy represses his ability to grow because he fails to recognize that he does have the ability to think and write, but does not take advantage of the opportunity to learn from his symbolic pyramids.

Several characters in Winesburg, Ohio suffer from the inability to grow because they choose to repress their desire to learn and development. A character that supports this notion is again Doctor Reefy in “Paper Pills” because he has written a lot about truth, but he chooses not to accept those ideas. The symbolic pyramids that he accumulates represent how Doctor Reefy cannot progress even though he has a lot of written truths that could allow him to possibly progress if he chooses to utilize those ideas. Instead, Doctor Reefy does not have an emotional response to his ideas, and he ultimately decides to live without the knowledge that would have enlightened him.

In contrast to the stagnant Doctor Reefy, George Willard chooses to progress through acceptance. George Willard provides a unique contrast to the other inhabitants of Winesburg, Ohio because he chooses to progress rather than regress. An essential element to this positive change is George Willard’s ability to accept himself for who he really is. George is fully aware that he does not belong in Winesburg, but the other stagnant characters would continue to live in that town. However, George Willard contrasts with the characters that merely exist because George Willard chooses to live.   The dynamic nature of George Willard reveals how being open to the idea of change is essential for progress to occur. George willingly decides to empower himself with knowledge and by also taking the initiative to live a life that works for him. Finally, he does not fear the unknown aspects of life. Instead, he chooses to understand more about both himself and the world around him, all of which culminates into progress. Specifically, his love for Helen White allows both of these characters to complement one another, and form a bond that allows them to be free and independent simply because they do not lean on each other for support. Instead, both of them care for each other, and they also learn to care for themselves personally, all of which helps George Willard become a sophisticated person. Therefore, Sherwood Anderson uses George Willard to present the idea that being able to understand and accept oneself, and to recognize the fact that there are seemingly ordinary elements that plague human existence, are both needed in order for people to make profound changes within their lives. Such people can use desire in order to ultimately realize that life truly is extraordinary, much like George Willard.

Being confined to a reclusive form of life would only result in monotony and not being able to grow. In contrast, taking the initiative to explore the world around an individual can allow such a person to change for the better. If one were to perform the same routine constantly, then that person would become a victim of cyclical living, a type of life that would not allow that individual to grow and mature. Repressing personal desire can result in someone becoming a grotesque individual instead of a fully-realized human being. Therefore, Sherwood Anderson employs the character, George Willard, to reveal how change really does lead to progress. Change might not always be positive, but it is essential in order for a person to face new ideas and view the world with a newfound perspective. Finally, rather than repressing one’s desires, it would be best to utilize them wisely in order to maximize the ability to change for the better.