Small Town Life in Winesburg, Ohio

Anderson's "The Strength of God", "The Teacher", and "Sophistication" are all honest portrayals of small-town life in Winesburg, Ohio. The stories deal with characters who struggle to find themselves and what their purpose is. Characters look for ways to remain vibrant, and never lose their instinct to live. And at many times the characters find themselves enslaved to their sexual desires. The stories express the recurring themes of identity, loneliness, lust, and vibrance.
In Anderson's "The Strength of God" Kate, a former object of Rev. Curtis' lust, becomes a symbol of divinity, and in turn makes him transform into a more effective and moral pastor. Rev. Curtis is a pastor, yet he struggles with simple tasks such as giving sermons to his church. Sometimes he feels as if being a pastor is not was not his true calling. "He wondered if the flame of the spirit burned in him and dreamed of a day when a strong sweet current of power would come. (Anderson 4). Reverend Curtis is also a lonely man, despite the fact that he is married, he still feels lonely because he doesn't feel a certain closeness with his wife, and sometimes even wonders if he married the right person. He is confused and really tries to consider what he would do with his life, whether he should fall into the evil hands of sin, or whether he should fight his urges and remain chaste. He tries to feed that void of loneliness, by spending leisure time lusting after Kate Swift, a young lady who lives in the adjacent building from his church. Naturally and instinctively, although not morally appropriate, he continually lusts for Kate and finds it increasingly difficult not to. He is not content, because he realizes his sinful nature, and wants to change it. One day as he is looking out the window, he sees Kate kneeling naked in her bed, but praying. Suddenly, he sees Kate from different eyes, he suddenly has an epiphany and sees Kate as a motive to continue his career as a pastor and a reinforcement to live a chaste life. To Reverend Curtis, Kate is viewed no longer as simply a sexual object, but is now an instrument of God. Because he accepts Ms. Swift as an "object of God" and not an "object of sex"; he is vibrant, full of energy and purpose.

In Anderson's "The Teacher", Kate, although ill, really grabs hold of life, she has a passion for adventure, and this enables her to remain vibrant. The story is about of two creative artists, George Willard and Kate Swift. Kate Swift was a former teacher of George Willard and admires his creative potential, but at the same time she is sexually attracted to him. George, young and vulnerable is easily led to believe that he wants to share an intimate relationship with Kate. And Kate confuses her creative fixation to him, as physical and intimate love. They both struggle with wanting to find themselves and their purpose, they are confused and not sure whether or not they should be in this relationship to begin with. During intercourse they feel satisfied, and oblivious to their realities, but once the sexual act is over, they are overcome with feelings of confusion, and sometimes guilt. Kate is a bachelorette in her thirties, she feels lonely at times, and its one of the main reasons why she has sex with George. George is young and lonely, he is a bachelor and feels that by having sex with Kate he will fulfill his physical and emotional needs. They both adore each other's creative work, Kate loves George's literary works and George looks up to Kate because she is his teacher, his mentor. She passionately wants to bring out the best in George and she urges him to live life; by having intercourse with George she believes she will bring out another side of him. Their lust tricks them into thinking that sex will better them as a person, when in fact it brings problems, regrets, and confusion. When things get dire in the relationship, suddenly Kate backs away, while George stays confused and upset. "For George Willard the confusion was immediately increased. When the school teacher had run away and left him alone, he walked up and down the office swearing furiously." (Anderson 23). George remains vibrant by simply living his life and learning from his mistakes.

Anderson's "Sophistication" deals with two kids, George Willard and Helen White, who are on the brink of adulthood and they embrace their youthfulness, despite the fact they are aging, and this helps them remain vibrant. They are no longer kids, but not yet adults and they eagerly struggle to find who they are, and what their purpose is. George is confused and does not know what lies ahead of him, or who he will become. "From being quite sure of himself and his future, he becomes not at all sure." (Anderson 5). Similarly to "The Teacher" where Kate tells George to be the unique and the best person he can be, George takes her advice and gives it to Helen. He tells her : "I'm going to be a big man, the biggest that ever lived here in Winesburg. I want you to do something, I don't know what . I want you to be different from other women." (Anderson 11). George feels lonely in the midst of uncertainty of life and his identity. Helen also shares the emotional troubles of turning into an adult. They are happy when they simply have each other's presence to accompany them. "The presence of Helen renewed and refreshed him." (Anderson 24). They are attracted to each other physically and kiss several times, but ever so quickly do their lips part from each others, because of momentary guilt. The childlike-ness overcomes their mature, lusty behavior, and this is what causes them to remain happy and vibrant. "They were both embarrassed and to relieve the embarrassment dropped into the animalism of youth. They laughed and began to pull and haul each other. In some way chastened and purified the mood they had been in, they became, not man and woman, not boy and girl, but excited little animals." (Anderson 27). It is through their youthfulness, that they are vibrant individuals.