Winesburg ,Ohio

The Maturation of George Willard In Anderson’s novel, Winesburg Ohio, the protagonist George Willard maneuvered through a motley group of acquaintances, learning and changing as he went. Dr. Parcival wanted him to listen, and others like Louise Trunnion, wanted love. Many of Winesburg’s residents saw George as someone special, someone who would be different. However, he may not have been what they thought, since he had many lessons to learn himself. Moving on …

…reached out to others, he was warned by Wash Williams of the dangers of judging life by appearances, for the results could end with hatred and bitterness. Finally, Louise Trunnion brought out the immature boy in George, yet caused him to feel the guilt, which stayed with him. These hard lessons lead to George’s “sophistication.” With these experiences and many others behind him, George was “carried away by his growing passion for dreams” (Anderson 232).