I Want to Know Why

Sherwood Anderson's story "I Want to Know Why" 

Sherwood Anderson's story "I Want to Know Why" delves into the tumultuous world of adolescence, a stage of life characterized by dreams, passion, and idealism. Through the lens of a naive narrator, Anderson explores the disillusionment that often accompanies the transition from childhood to adulthood. The story is set in the narrator's hometown of Backerswille, where he grapples with the harsh reality that his idol, Sunstreak, is not the heroic figure he once believed him to be.

The most striking stylistic device in Anderson's narrative is his use of the first-person voice, which lends an air of authenticity and immediacy to the narrator's experience. The narrator struggles to articulate his thoughts and feelings, stumbling over his words as he attempts to make sense of the world around him. This narrative choice effectively captures the confusion and uncertainty of adolescence, where emotions are often raw and unfiltered.

At the heart of the story is the narrator's disillusionment with his idol, Sunstreak. Initially revered as a symbol of everything good and noble in the world, Sunstreak's fall from grace shatters the narrator's illusions and forces him to confront the harsh realities of human nature. Through this revelation, Anderson explores the theme of authenticity versus artifice, highlighting the discrepancy between outward appearances and inner truth.

Symbolism plays a significant role in the story, with the horses representing ideals and aspirations that ultimately prove to be unattainable. The narrator's fixation on Sunstreak reflects his longing for a perfect, untarnished hero, only to be confronted with the imperfections and limitations of reality. This disillusionment serves as a rite of passage for the narrator, marking his transition from innocence to awareness of the complexities of the adult world.

"I Want to Know Why" can be seen as a companion piece to Anderson's "Death in the Woods," both of which explore themes of sexual awakening and existential confusion. In both stories, the protagonists grapple with the loss of innocence and the harsh realities of life, symbolized by their encounters with mortality and disillusionment.

The ending of "I Want to Know Why" is particularly poignant, as the narrator comes to terms with the limitations of his idol and the complexities of human nature. Despite his newfound awareness, however, there remains a sense of innocence and naivety in the narrator's worldview. He is still unable to fully grasp the depth of human deceit and manipulation, as evidenced by Tillford's shameless bragging and self-aggrandizement.

In conclusion, "I Want to Know Why" is a powerful exploration of adolescence and the quest for identity. Through the eyes of a young narrator, Sherwood Anderson captures the raw emotions and confusion of youth, while also delving into deeper themes of disillusionment and authenticity. With its rich symbolism and evocative imagery, the story serves as a timeless meditation on the complexities of the human experience.

 

Characters :-

The protagonist and main character in the story is unnamed throughout.

A 16 year-old boy from Kentucky, he recounts the events of the story through the first person reflective narrative; the events in the story occurred one year prior. The character's commitment to learning the sport of race horsing is intense, and at one point he observes that,

I always am wanting to be a trainer or owner, and at the risk of being seen and caught and sent home I went to the paddocks before every race. The other boys didn't but I did.

The other major character in the story is Jerry Tillford, the trainer of the stallion Sunstreak. The narrator quickly develops a familial relationship with Tillford, noting that he "liked him...even more than I ever liked my own father."

The narrator's father is an attorney. While the reader is never introduced to him except through short descriptions of his personality, he plays a major role in the narrator's psychological complexions. The narrator lacks respect for his father, but doesn't necessarily dislike him.

Several of the narrator's friends are named, but their characters are not fully developed, and we only know they are adolescents from Kentucky who shared an interest in horses, albeit less intense than the narrator. They are Hanley Turner, Henry Rieback, and Tom Tumberton.