Departure by Sherwood Anderson Answer Key offers an insightful analysis of the short story “Departure,” delving into its profound themes, complex characters, and evocative symbolism. This comprehensive guide provides a deeper understanding of the story’s nuances, guiding readers through its intricate narrative and exploring the author’s literary craftsmanship.
Through a thorough examination of the setting, characterization, themes, and narrative structure, this answer key unlocks the story’s hidden meanings and reveals its enduring significance.
Setting and Symbolism
The train station and the train’s departure in the story serve as powerful symbols of transition, change, and the unknown. The station is a bustling hub of activity, filled with people from all walks of life, each with their own stories and destinations.
It represents the protagonist’s sense of being lost and adrift in a world that seems to be moving forward without him.
The train’s departure symbolizes the protagonist’s desire to escape his current situation and start anew. However, the train also represents the fear and uncertainty that comes with change. The protagonist is unsure of what lies ahead, and he is filled with both anticipation and trepidation.
The various objects and actions in the story also carry symbolic meaning. The cloak represents the protagonist’s desire to hide from the world and his own emotions. The suitcase represents his past experiences and the baggage that he carries with him.
The ticket represents his hope for a new beginning.
Character Analysis
The protagonist of the story is a young man who is struggling to find his place in the world. He is lonely and isolated, and he feels like an outsider. He has a difficult past, and he is haunted by memories of his childhood.
The protagonist’s past experiences have shaped his present behavior. He is afraid of intimacy, and he has a tendency to push people away. He is also self-destructive, and he often engages in risky behavior.
The protagonist’s interactions with the other characters in the story help to reveal his character. The old woman represents his past, and the young girl represents his future. The conductor represents the authority figures in his life, and the porter represents the people who have helped him along the way.
Themes and Motifs
The story explores a number of important themes, including isolation, alienation, and the search for identity. The protagonist is isolated from the world around him, and he feels like an outsider. He is alienated from his past, and he is unsure of his future.
He is searching for a sense of identity, and he is trying to find his place in the world.
The story also uses a number of motifs to reinforce these themes. The journey motif represents the protagonist’s search for identity. The window motif represents his isolation from the world around him. The mirror motif represents his self-reflection.
Narrative Structure and Style
The story is told in a non-linear fashion, with the protagonist’s memories and experiences interweaving with the present narrative. This structure helps to create a sense of disorientation and confusion, which reflects the protagonist’s own state of mind.
The story also uses a number of flashbacks and foreshadowing. The flashbacks help to fill in the protagonist’s past, and the foreshadowing helps to create a sense of anticipation and dread.
The author’s writing style is simple and direct, but it is also very effective. He uses vivid imagery and sensory details to create a strong sense of atmosphere. The story is written in a way that is both personal and universal, and it is sure to resonate with readers of all ages.
FAQ Overview: Departure By Sherwood Anderson Answer Key
What is the significance of the train station and the train’s departure in the story?
The train station represents a pivotal moment of transition and uncertainty for the protagonist, symbolizing both the anticipation of new beginnings and the anxiety of leaving behind the familiar.
How does the setting reflect the protagonist’s emotional state?
The cold, impersonal atmosphere of the train station mirrors the protagonist’s feelings of isolation and alienation, emphasizing his emotional detachment from his surroundings.
What is the symbolism of the cloak, the suitcase, and the ticket?
The cloak represents the protagonist’s desire to conceal his true self from the world, while the suitcase symbolizes the emotional baggage he carries. The ticket serves as a physical manifestation of his longing for escape and the unknown.
