Upward Mobility, and: Downward Mobility, and: Immobility

wanted to look below the surface of lives, and his characters, whether mountaineers or Chicagoans or small-town mid-westerners, are all depicted as psychologically real people with real joys (a few) and real sorrows (many). To belong, to be united, to experience community , not to be fragmented—these things Sherwood Anderson wanted, as do so many persons today and at most times in history. From Marching Men (1917) to Beyond Desire (1932) that is what he had been seeking artistically. "How many marriages among people! ' ' he had noted in the aptly titled Many Marriages of 1923. In Appalachia during his closing years, and in more than one sense, Sherwood Anderson made his. NOTES 'Jon T. Henrikson, Sherwood Anderson and His America, senior thesis in history, Harvard University, 1964. Chapter One is entitled "The Necessity of Embracing Failure." 2 Hubert H. Campbell and Charles E. Modlin, eds., Sherwood Anderson: Centennial Studies, "An Interview with Mrs. Sherwood Anderson," (Troy, New York: Whitston Publishing Co., 1976), p. 74. 3 Ibid. ' Writer's conference lecture at Olivet College, Olivet, Michigan, 1939. ' James Still, interview, August 29, 1981. I wish to dedicate this paper to the memory of Mrs. Eleanor Copenhaver Anderson, who extended many kindnesses to me during the research and preparation of this article. —The Author Upward Mobility Blue plush wall-to-wall Brass-like wall sconce Ivory TV Virgin Town & Countrys On glazed coffee table LR-DR-BR suits Relentlessly matched No fingerprint Has a fighting chance. If ducks have class Why don't flamingos? Immobility Sun's wretched hotrays Beat Chevvie roof Usin' right smart awl Reckon why? damfino Hotdamn! RC, moonpies Etc. (Riches in reach) (gun); yeahbuddy goodOleboyfeet jut Out from Chevviebelly. Sated sucklings Latched safe to sow-tit. —Sallie Odum Downward Mobility From-scratch kneaded bread (Whole wholly wholest Good grain almighty) Do it ourself (please Mom!) Earth mother, solar dad Earth-pocked earth babe adangling (Our Little Statement) Grim grime hirsute Grin, simple symbols. Ace-in-hole toehold: Old Dad's ready bread. 23 ...