Winesburg, Ohio

by

Sherwood Anderson

Tom Willard Character Analysis

George Willard’s father. Tom is ashamed of the “shabby” New Willard House hotel that he took over after the death of his wife Elizabeth’s father. He is also resentful and embarrassed of his wife’s sloppy appearance and sullen presence as she remains bedbound in the hotel by her chronic illness. His encouragement of their son George to “wake up” and get serious about his life and career enrages Elizabeth. Tom spends most of his time engaged in local politics, where he is a vocal Democrat in the majority-Republican town.

Tom Willard Quotes in Winesburg, Ohio

The Winesburg, Ohio quotes below are all either spoken by Tom Willard or refer to Tom Willard . For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Coming of Age, Independence, and Manhood Theme Icon
).
4. Mother Quotes

The hotel was continually losing patronage because of its shabbiness and she thought of herself as also shabby. Her own room was in an obscure corner and when she felt able to work she voluntarily worked among the beds, preferring the labor that could be done when the guests were abroad seeking trade among the merchants of Winesburg.

Related Characters: The Narrator (speaker), George Willard, Elizabeth Willard, Tom Willard
Page Number: 23
Explanation and Analysis:
23. Death Quotes

“Love is like a wind stirring the grass beneath trees on a black night,” he had said. “You must not try to make love definite. It is the divine accident of life. If you try to be definite and sure about it and to live beneath the trees, where soft night winds blow, the long hot day of disappointment comes swiftly and the gritty dust from passing wagons gathers upon lips inflamed and made tender by kisses.”

Related Characters: Doctor Reefy (speaker), Elizabeth Willard, Tom Willard
Page Number: Page 211
Explanation and Analysis:
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Tom Willard Quotes in Winesburg, Ohio

The Winesburg, Ohio quotes below are all either spoken by Tom Willard or refer to Tom Willard . For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Coming of Age, Independence, and Manhood Theme Icon
).
4. Mother Quotes

The hotel was continually losing patronage because of its shabbiness and she thought of herself as also shabby. Her own room was in an obscure corner and when she felt able to work she voluntarily worked among the beds, preferring the labor that could be done when the guests were abroad seeking trade among the merchants of Winesburg.

Related Characters: The Narrator (speaker), George Willard, Elizabeth Willard, Tom Willard
Page Number: 23
Explanation and Analysis:
23. Death Quotes

“Love is like a wind stirring the grass beneath trees on a black night,” he had said. “You must not try to make love definite. It is the divine accident of life. If you try to be definite and sure about it and to live beneath the trees, where soft night winds blow, the long hot day of disappointment comes swiftly and the gritty dust from passing wagons gathers upon lips inflamed and made tender by kisses.”

Related Characters: Doctor Reefy (speaker), Elizabeth Willard, Tom Willard
Page Number: Page 211
Explanation and Analysis: