I WANT TO KNOW WHY BY SHERWOOD ANDERSON

 I WANT TO KNOW WHY 

ABOUT THE WRITER:

Sherwood Anderson, an influential American writer born in 1876, was known for his insightful explorations of small-town life and the complexities of human relationships. His writing style delved into the psychological depths of characters, providing readers with profound insights into the human condition.

Famous Works:

Winesburg, Ohio (1919)

Dark Laughter (1925)

Poor White (1920)

Many Marriages (1923)

Death in the Woods and Other Stories (1933)

ABOUT THE STORY:

Published in 1921, "I Want to Know Why" is a short story by Sherwood Anderson. The narrative centers around Charley Anderson, a teenage boy, and unfolds during a horse race that triggers a transformative moment in his life. As Charley witnesses the intense competition, he begins questioning the purpose and meaning of existence. The story reflects Anderson's skill in capturing emotional nuances and his exploration of the deeper existential questions that characters grapple with in their journey through life.

QUESTION:1: 

Explore the protagonist's journey from innocence to disillusionment in "I Want to Know Why." How does his perception of the world change throughout the story?

ANSWER:

In  the story,I Want to Know Why by Sherwood Anderson, the protagonist, a young boy from Beckersville, Kentucky, begins the story with a passionate love for thoroughbred horses. His innocent fascination with horses and horse racing leads him to convince his friends to run away to Saratoga to witness a big race. The boy's admiration for horses, especially Middlestride and Sunstreak, is genuine and almost spiritual.

As the story unfolds, the protagonist's journey takes a turn when he witnesses a darker side of the world he idolizes. After the triumphant race where Sunstreak sets a world record, the protagonist unexpectedly finds himself near a disreputable place with Jerry Tillford, the trainer of Sunstreak. In this unsettling environment, Jerry's behavior contradicts the protagonist's idealized image of him.

"And Jerry's eyes kept shining, and he waved back and forth, and then he went and kissed that woman, and I crept away and went back to the tracks and to bed and didn't sleep hardly any, and then next day I got the other kids to start home with me and never told them anything I seen."

This experience shatters the boy's innocence and idealism. He grapples with conflicting emotions of anger, confusion, and disappointment. The once-clear distinction between the purity of horse racing and the corrupt reality of certain individuals involved becomes blurred. The protagonist's perception of the world is forever altered, and he struggles to reconcile the noble qualities he sees in the horses with the flawed behavior of those around them.

The story captures the loss of innocence as the protagonist navigates the complex realities of the adult world. The boy's journey reflects the harsh realization that even in the world of something as pure as horse racing, there are elements of darkness and moral ambiguity.

QUESTION:2:Read the original story and prepare a visual story line.

1. Decision to Go to Saratoga

2. Journey to Saratoga

3. Arrival in Saratoga

4. Meeting Bildad Johnson

5. Passion for Horses

6. Arrival at Saratoga

7. The Mullford Handicap

8. Unexpected Encounter

9. Revelations at the Rummy Farm House

10. Confusion and Anger

11. Impact on Narrator

12. Return to Beckersville

13. Reflection on Horses

QUESTION:3:What is your understanding of the concepts of individual desire and social expectations?

Individual desire refers to what a person wants or wishes for themselves. It's about personal goals, dreams, and things that make someone happy or fulfilled. For example, someone might desire to travel the world, pursue a certain career, or spend time with loved ones.

Social expectations are the unwritten rules or norms that society has about how people should behave or what they should do. These expectations can come from family, friends, culture, or society as a whole. For instance, society might expect people to get a job, get married, or behave in a certain way based on their gender or background.

Sometimes, individual desires and social expectations can be in harmony, like when someone wants to fulfill a goal that society also values. But other times, they can clash, causing conflicts between what someone wants for themselves and what society expects from them.

It's important to note that everyone has the right to pursue their individual desires without interference. Respecting individual desires fosters autonomy, diversity, and inclusivity within society. Interfering with someone's desires can infringe upon their autonomy and lead to resentment, frustration, and harm. What may be important or fulfilling to one person may not be the same for another, and imposing societal expectations onto individuals can disregard their unique needs and aspirations.

QUESTION:4: Reflect in your own words about the transition of your journey from childhood to adulthood.

As I journey from childhood to adulthood, it's like I'm transforming from a delicate bud into a resilient flower. In the beginning, I rely on others for support and guidance, similar to how a bud needs nourishment from the soil and sunlight. As I grow, I begin to explore and learn, like petals unfurling from the bud. Challenges arise, testing my strength and resilience, but I learn to weather them and continue to blossom. Eventually, I emerge as a fully formed flower, standing tall and independent, ready to face the world on my own.