Stoner:
Background
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Plot
The novel Stoner depicts the life of a young man named William Stoner. Stoner is an only child growing up on his family farm. One day his father mentions that an agent had mentioned to him that his son,Stoner, should attend the College of Agriculture at the University of Columbia. Stoner takes this chance and leaves the farm in order to gain a better education. To pay for his education, he works on a nearby cousin's farm as he is also doing his school work. During his time at school, Stoner realizes that literature is his true passion. He stays on at the university to obtain his Master of Arts degree[1] (Can be found on first three pages of introduction) which helps him to obtain his job as a teacher of literature at the University of Missouri.[2][3] (Can be found on first page of both articles cited)
Characters
William Stoner: Main character of the novel. Stoner grew up on a farm, but left for a higher education where he realized his love for literature.[1][2][3] (Found at beginning of articles)
Archer Sloane: Stoner's college professor and mentor who guides him to discovering his true passion [1] (intro xi)
Hollis Lomax: Stoner's enemy[1] (intro xi)
David Masters: Stoner's friend who is killed in France at the time of the war.[1] (intro xi)
Gordon Finch: Stoner's friend who returns alive from the war and soon accepts the position of the dean of faculty[1] (intro xi)
Themes
Love is a theme (both human and intellectually) within the novel in regards to Stoner's new found love of school and literature. Stoner leaves the family farm in order to follow this love. Love is also represented by Stoner's relationships with his wife, family, secret lover, and mentor. [3] (Middle of second page)
Work is also a theme based on the idea of working on the family farm, Stoner working towards his educational goals, and, in general, working through the struggles of everyday life that is given to him.[1] (intro xii)
Style
Told by Stoner's point of view?
Critical Reception
When Stoner first was published, it was not acclaimed as a "must read" novel. There were hardly any book sales until many years later. Today this book is recognized for its narrative and stylistic writing. In 21 countries, several thousands of books have been sold after its most recent reprint of the novel. [2] (First paragraph)
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- ^ a b c d e f g Williams, John (2003). Stoner. New York: The New York Review of Books. pp. vii–xiii. ISBN 978-1-59017-199-8.
- ^ a b c Ellis, Bret Easton. "John Williams's great literary western | Bret Easton Ellis". the Guardian. Retrieved 2015-10-26.
- ^ a b c "Bryan Appleyard » Blog Archive » Stoner: The Greatest Novel You Have Never Read". bryanappleyard.com. Retrieved 2015-10-26.