Americans All / Stories of American Life of To-Day

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

23207

Title

Americans All / Stories of American Life of To-Day

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Edited by Benjamin A. Heydrick, this 1920 anthology presents a mosaic of American life through diverse short stories. Featuring works by O. Henry, Fannie Hurst, and Edna Ferber, the collection explores themes ranging from schoolyard innocence and political corruption to the rugged lumberjack and immigrant dreams. It serves as a comprehensive portrait of the nation's varied characters, occupations, and locales, aiming to foster understanding among its citizens.

Summary up to 500 words

Edited by Benjamin A. Heydrick, *Americans All: Stories of American Life of To-Day* rejects the futile search for a single 'Great American Novel,' arguing instead that the multifarious nature of the nation requires a collection of short stories to adequately interpret American life. Published in 1920, the anthology is structured into sections representing diverse facets of society, from school days and politics to various professions and racial backgrounds. The narrative begins with George Madden Martin's 'The Right Promethean Fire,' which captures the innocent yet complex dynamics of a first-grade classroom, highlighting the resilience of a shy protagonist against bullying. The collection then shifts to Fannie Hurst's 'Bitter-Sweet,' a poignant wartime tale where a mother paradoxically encourages her son to join the army, believing it will forge his character and wash away his 'yellow streak.' Other stories expand the scope of the American experience: Brand Whitlock's 'The Gold Brick' offers a satirical look at political corruption; Edna Ferber's 'His Mother's Son' provides a humorous glimpse into the life of a traveling salesman; and Stewart Edward White's 'The Riverman' portrays the rough independence of lumberjacks in the Pacific Northwest. Classic themes of sacrificial love appear in O. Henry's 'The Gift of the Magi.' The anthology also addresses significant social issues, including racial dynamics in Paul Laurence Dunbar's 'The Ordeal at Mt. Hope' and the experiences of immigrants and Filipinos in stories set in the Philippines and among new arrivals. Through these varied voices, the book argues that the short story form is uniquely capable of capturing the diverse 'strata' of American society. As the preface suggests, while critics hunted for a single book to embody national life, the short story allows many hands to chronicle different localities and occupations, creating a truer, more comprehensive picture of a vast and diverse nation. By bringing together these distinct narratives, the volume aims to help readers learn to know their fellow citizens across differences of color, race, and creed, ultimately fostering a deeper understanding of what it means to be an American.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Short Stories
• Fiction