In the short story "Death in the woods" by Sherwood Anderson the narrator slowly reveals details of the death and life of an old woman who lived near by him in his childhood. He reminisces over the insignificance of the anonymous old woman, saying that every small town has an old woman like her. He also tells us about her daily responsibilities of feeding the animals. .
The story explores the simplicity of the old woman's life. Her single purpose in life is to feed animals.
"Then she settled down to feed stock. That was her job Horses, cows, pigs, dogs, men.".
(Death in the woods, S. Anderson: 285 & 287). .
Every aspect of the old woman's primitive life and death relates to feeding animals: when she was a bound child on a German's farm, when she was married to Jake her abusive husband, as she grew old and eventually in her death. The author repeats this point many times throughout the story. The repetition of this constantly in the story helps the reader feel something for the old lady, a feeling of sadness and sympathy. The repetition of this point also enhances the monotonous quality of the old woman's life. Her destiny is to feed animals. .
A variation of long and short sentence structure is used in the story. The combination of long and short sentences becomes a rhythm that immerses the reader, and makes the story easier to digest. Sherwood uses long and descriptive sentences to provide details that enhance the imagery of the story. The longer sentences set the scene and allow the reader to identify with the old woman. Some of the long sentences are listless and wandering, much like the old woman's life.
"Sometimes, when she began to look old- she wasn't forty yet- and when the husband and son were both off trading horses or drinking or hunting or stealing, she went around the house and the barnyard muttering to herself." .
(Death in the woods, S. Anderson: 286).
She goes from a young woman into a stooped old lady in the space of one sentence.
