"The Egg" is a story about achieving the goal of the American dream of success, which is a characteristic of Modernism literature, through hard work (Werlock NP). Sherwood Anderson was influenced by reknowned authors as Carl Sandburg and Gertrude Stein. Possibly because of his early life and often straightened circumstances he became famous for his tales that "gave a voice to small town American characters and their plight with finding the American Dream" (Merriman NP). In the story, there is a man who is married and has a child with a woman who has great ambitions. She convinces him to start a chicken farm, which most would think would bring much prosperity. However, it is a source of despair and poverty for the family (Anderson NP).
"Anderson's narrative strategy in this story is to reverse the traditional, life-affirming symbol of the egg in parallel with his reversal of the traditional American myth that hard work brings success, a rise in fortunes, and happiness. Eggs, traditionally a symbol of new life, are associated in Christian cultures with Easter and the resurrection of Christ; in other cultures they have the same meaning, associated with spring and rebirth. Yet the narrator seems not to see that his own birth—from an egg—also plays a role in the failure of his parents' farm and, after the move to town, of their restaurant" (Werlock NP). This statement follows another characteristic of the Modernism time period: Symbolism during this period often told of problems that were sure to come since in American society during this time, difficulties were starting to emerge (Melton NP).
The egg in the short story symbolized failure for the family. Because they could not seem to get ahead in the egg business, they despaired. After one last effort to sell eggs, by attempting tricks, the father throws in the towel. The family seems to be done with eggs for good. However, the boy still ponders the eggs from time to time. "I wondered why eggs had to be and why from the egg came the hen who again laid the egg. The question got into my blood. It has stayed there, I imagine, because I am the son of my father. At any rate, the problem remains unsolved in my mind. And that, I conclude, is but another evidence of the complete and final triumph of the egg--at least as far as my family is concerned" (Anderson NP).
In conclusion, "The Egg" represents the literary time period of Modernism because of the attempts to achieve the American dream of success. The family is not successful in their endeavors in the egg business, but the American dream drives them to keep up the fight. In the end, however, they seem to throw in the towel (Anderson. "The Egg.").
Works Cited
Werlock, Abby H. P. "'The Egg'." The Facts On File Companion to the American Short Story. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2000. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=5&iPin= amshrtsty0242&SingleRecord=True (accessed April 27, 2010).
Merriman, C.D. "Sherwood Anderson - Biography and Works." The Literature Network: Online Classic Literature, Poems, and Quotes. Essays & Summaries. Web. 01 May 2010. <http://www.online-literature.com/sherwood-anderson/>.
"The Egg" is a story about achieving the goal of the American dream of success, which is a characteristic of Modernism literature, through hard work (Werlock NP). Sherwood Anderson was influenced by reknowned authors as Carl Sandburg and Gertrude Stein. Possibly because of his early life and often straightened circumstances he became famous for his tales that "gave a voice to small town American characters and their plight with finding the American Dream" (Merriman NP). In the story, there is a man who is married and has a child with a woman who has great ambitions. She convinces him to start a chicken farm, which most would think would bring much prosperity. However, it is a source of despair and poverty for the family (Anderson NP).
"Anderson's narrative strategy in this story is to reverse the traditional, life-affirming symbol of the egg in parallel with his reversal of the traditional American myth that hard work brings success, a rise in fortunes, and happiness. Eggs, traditionally a symbol of new life, are associated in Christian cultures with Easter and the resurrection of Christ; in other cultures they have the same meaning, associated with spring and rebirth. Yet the narrator seems not to see that his own birth—from an egg—also plays a role in the failure of his parents' farm and, after the move to town, of their restaurant" (Werlock NP). This statement follows another characteristic of the Modernism time period: Symbolism during this period often told of problems that were sure to come since in American society during this time, difficulties were starting to emerge (Melton NP).
The egg in the short story symbolized failure for the family. Because they could not seem to get ahead in the egg business, they despaired. After one last effort to sell eggs, by attempting tricks, the father throws in the towel. The family seems to be done with eggs for good. However, the boy still ponders the eggs from time to time. "I wondered why eggs had to be and why from the egg came the hen who again laid the egg. The question got into my blood. It has stayed there, I imagine, because I am the son of my father. At any rate, the problem remains unsolved in my mind. And that, I conclude, is but another evidence of the complete and final triumph of the egg--at least as far as my family is concerned" (Anderson NP).
In conclusion, "The Egg" represents the literary time period of Modernism because of the attempts to achieve the American dream of success. The family is not successful in their endeavors in the egg business, but the American dream drives them to keep up the fight. In the end, however, they seem to throw in the towel (Anderson. "The Egg.").
Works Cited
Werlock, Abby H. P. "'The Egg'." The Facts On File Companion to the American Short Story. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2000. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=5&iPin= amshrtsty0242&SingleRecord=True (accessed April 27, 2010).
Melton Ph.D, Lili. "Modernism in Literature and History - by Lili Melton Ph.D. - Helium." Helium - Where Knowledge Rules. Web. 25 Apr. 2010. <http://www.helium.com/items/ 809291-modernism-in- literature-and-history>.
Merriman, C.D. "Sherwood Anderson - Biography and Works." The Literature Network: Online Classic Literature, Poems, and Quotes. Essays & Summaries. Web. 01 May 2010. <http://www.online-literature.com/sherwood-anderson/>.
Anderson, Sherwood. "The Egg." Ibiblio.org - Math. Web. 27 Apr. 2010. http://www.ibiblio.org/eldritch/tales/egg.html.