Online Short Story Discussion: “The Egg” by Sherwood Anderson
“The Egg” by Sherwood Anderson is a story about the narrator’s father, who is obsessed with achieving success and happiness through raising chickens and entertaining customers at his restaurant. The story explores the themes of ambition, failure, and disillusionment, as well as the symbolic meaning of eggs.
The narrator recounts his childhood on a chicken farm, where his father tried to make a fortune by selling eggs and chickens. However, his father faced many setbacks, such as diseases, bad weather, and grotesque chicks that died soon after hatching. The narrator also describes how he developed a cynical view of life and the world, as he witnessed the futile and miserable existence of the chickens.
The narrator’s father then decides to move to a town called Bidwell and open a restaurant, hoping to attract customers with his cheerful personality and his collection of preserved freakish chicks. He also tries to perform tricks with eggs, such as making them stand on end or balancing them on his nose. However, his attempts at entertainment fail miserably, as he only manages to bore or disgust his customers. One night, he tries to impress a young man from Bidwell named Joe Kane but ends up making him sick and scared. The narrator’s father realizes that he has wasted his life chasing a false dream, and breaks down in tears.
Discussion questions:
- What is the significance of the title “The Egg”? How does the egg symbolize the narrator’s father’s aspirations and disappointments?
- How does the narrator’s tone and perspective change throughout the story? How does he feel about his father and his mother?
- How does the story portray the American dream and the American spirit? How does the narrator’s father embody or challenge these ideals?
- How does the story use humor and irony to convey its message? What are some examples of funny or ironic situations or dialogues in the story?
- How does the story compare and contrast the rural and urban settings? How do the characters adapt or fail to adapt to their environments?
Time: 1:00-1:45 pm EST
Free!
