The Price of Respectability

Evan Swensen
January 20, 2025

“Writers should never be too respectable; I think it may be their undoing.” Sherwood Anderson’s words cut straight to the heart of what it means to write authentically. To him, respectability wasn’t a virtue but a trap, luring writers into conformity and away from the raw honesty that makes literature resonate. Anderson’s boldness redefined storytelling, paving the way for modernist literature and leaving a legacy that continues to inspire writers today.

In 1912, Sherwood Anderson made a decision that would baffle his neighbors and shock his peers. He walked away from his life in Elyria, Ohio—his stable job as a paint manufacturer, his family, and the expectations society had placed on him. He didn’t do it out of irresponsibility or neglect but because he couldn’t continue to live a life that stifled his creativity. This bold move wasn’t easy. It required courage and a willingness to be misunderstood.

That leap into the unknown gave birth to Winesburg, Ohio, a masterpiece exploring small-town life’s quiet frustrations and secret hopes. Anderson’s characters weren’t respectable—they were flawed, raw, and deeply human. His stories reminded readers that beneath the surface of every person lies a world of unspoken struggles and dreams. Anderson’s decision to abandon respectability wasn’t just personal; it became the foundation of his literary voice.

Sherwood Anderson’s influence wasn’t confined to his own writing. He believed in the power of unvarnished truth so much that he encouraged others to embrace it, too. Two of his most famous proteges, William Faulkner and Ernest Hemingway, owe much of their success to his guidance.

Anderson didn’t just praise Faulkner’s talent—he gave him practical advice that reshaped his career. He urged Faulkner to draw from his Southern roots, resulting in iconic works like The Sound and the Fury. With Hemingway, Anderson emphasized the beauty of simplicity and brevity, planting seeds for the concise, impactful style Hemingway became known for.

These relationships reveal Anderson’s generosity and commitment to fostering authenticity in others. Though Hemingway later critiqued Anderson, the lessons he learned from their early connection are evident in his work. Anderson’s influence rippled through literature, shaping a generation of writers who dared to tell the truth, even when it wasn’t pretty.

Sherwood Anderson didn’t write to please. He wrote to reveal. At a time when literature often romanticized rural life, Anderson peeled back the facade. In Winesburg, Ohio, he exposed the frustrations, loneliness, and desires that simmered beneath small-town America’s surface. His stories resonated with readers who saw themselves in his characters—imperfect, striving, and profoundly human.

Anderson’s work wasn’t just a literary innovation; it was a cultural shift. By rejecting respectability, he permitted writers to tackle uncomfortable truths. His influence extended to societal attitudes, encouraging a more honest exploration of the human experience. Later writers, like John Steinbeck with The Grapes of Wrath, built on Anderson’s foundation, using storytelling to challenge social norms and highlight systemic struggles.

Sherwood Anderson’s legacy endures because he refused to conform. His belief that “writers should never be too respectable” is a challenge and a gift—a reminder that authenticity, not approval, is the heart of great writing. His stories taught us to see beauty in imperfection and value in vulnerability, leaving a literary inheritance that continues to inspire.

Pick up Winesburg, Ohio, and immerse yourself in Sherwood Anderson’s unapologetic portrayal of humanity. His example encourages you to write boldly, speak truthfully, and embrace the unpolished edges that make your voice uniquely yours. Use your words to make a difference, even if it means stepping beyond respectability.

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