Event—Adult Education

Sherwood Anderson's Creative Commute: Chicago to Winesburg, Ohio

Sherwood Anderson’s literary career blossomed because of his three stays in Chicago, during which he committed himself to his art. Though Winesburg resembles Anderson’s Ohio hometown, the author populated the stories with characters he met living at his Chicago rooming house...

Cost and Registration Information

Early Registration Price (April 17 at 10 am – May 4 at 4 pm): $210
Regular Registration Price (May 4 at 4 pm – first day of class): $231

Members, seniors, and students get a 10% discount.

Excuse our dust!

The Newberry is undergoing an extensive first floor renovation in 2018. This project will be ongoing during the Summer 2018 seminar term. The Adult Education Seminars Program still has use of the basement classrooms, but please check this link frequently for the latest conditions - which exterior doors are open or closed, where to find an accessible entrance, which restrooms are available, etc.

Because of the renovation, the Newberry Bookstore will be closed during the Summer 2018 term. As such, seminar participants will be responsible for acquiring all required texts for their seminars on their own. We apologize sincerely for the inconvenience, and appreciate your understanding. We have put together a list of helpful resources that should make it easy to find the books you need.

Seminar Description

Sherwood Anderson’s literary career blossomed because of his three stays in Chicago, during which he committed himself to his art. Though Winesburg resembles Anderson’s Ohio hometown, the author populated the stories with characters he met living at his Chicago rooming house. In addition, Anderson’s newfound insights into urban existence informed his understanding of rural life. In this seminar, we will read and dissect Winesburg, Ohio and along the way study how Anderson’s Chicago years played a critical role in shaping his collection. Five sessions.

Donald Evans is the founding executive director of the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame and author of a novel, baseball anthology, and a forthcoming short story collection.

Materials List

Required:

  • Sherwood Anderson, Winesburg, Ohio. Penguin, 1960. ISBN#: 978-0140186550.
  • A selection of shorter material provided by the instructor.

Recommended:

  • Kenny J. Williams, A Storyteller and A City.

First Reading:

  • There is no reading assignment for the first class

This class is part of the Newberry’s Adult Education Seminars Program. Learn more about our registration procedures.