26 pages • 52 minutes read
Thomas WolfeThe Far and the Near
Fiction | Short Story | Adult | Published in 1935A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Background
Authorial Context: Thomas Wolfe
Thomas Wolfe was an American novelist and playwright born October 3, 1900, in Asheville, North Carolina. He grew up in a large, middle-class family, and his father, William Oliver Wolfe, ran a successful tombstone business. Wolfe’s early years were marked by a love for literature and a desire to become a writer. After graduating from high school, Wolfe attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he became deeply involved in writing and theater. He gained recognition for his dramatic talents and praise for his poetic prose style.
In 1920, Wolfe received a scholarship to attend Harvard University, where he studied playwriting and earned a Master of Arts degree. During his time at Harvard, he became friends with fellow writer and critic Maxwell Perkins, who would later become his editor and a significant influence on his literary career. In his writing, Wolfe often explores complex human emotions, depicts the impact of time on individual perception, and employs powerful symbols to deepen literary themes.
Wolfe drew inspiration from his life and surroundings, often incorporating elements of his hometown of Asheville into his work. Wolfe’s writing, including “The Far and the Near,” continues to be celebrated for its poetic and evocative portrayal of American life and the human condition. “The Far and the Near” showcases Wolfe’s distinctive writing style, characterized by rich, descriptive language and introspective exploration of the human experience. Wolfe’s prose was known for its lyrical quality and ability to capture life’s vitality and chaos.
In 1929, Wolfe published his first novel, Look Homeward, Angel, which drew heavily from his own upbringing in Asheville. The novel received critical acclaim and established Wolfe as a significant figure in American literature. His subsequent novels, such as Of Time and the River (1935) and The Web and the Rock (1939), further solidified his reputation as a storyteller.
Wolfe’s life was cut short by his untimely death from tuberculosis at the age of 37 in 1938. Despite his short career, Wolfe left behind a significant body of work and is considered one of the leading figures of American literature in the early 20th century. Wolfe’s writing has been praised for its emotional intensity, poetic language, and exploration of the human spirit. His unique storytelling style and powerful prose continue to resonate with readers, making his works enduring contributions to American literature.
Literary Context: Modernist Literature and Southern Renaissance
“The Far and the Near” can be categorized as a Modernist short story. Modernism was an art and literary movement that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries along with the rise of industrialism and technological progress. Modernism was characterized by its deliberate departure from traditional structure and the genre of Realism. In art, Expressionist and Cubist artists fall under the Modernist umbrella, pushing the boundaries of formulaic familiarity and strict creative boundaries. Hallmark examples of Modernist literature include Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad and works by T. S. Elliot and James Joyce. This short story exhibits several characteristics commonly associated with Modernist literature, including experimental narrative techniques, an emphasis on subjective perception, and an exploration of the complexities of the human experience.
Wolfe’s writing style in this story is marked by detailed descriptions, reflective passages, and a focus on the engineer’s inner thoughts and feelings. This interiority and emphasis on subjective experience are characteristic of Modernist literature, which seeks to depict the complexities and ambiguities of human consciousness. Additionally, “The Far and the Near” reflects the Modernist concern with the limitations of language and communication. The story explores the inherent distance between people, even when they attempt to connect, as well as the fleeting and elusive nature of the human connection.
Wolfe was additionally associated with the literary movement known as the Southern Renaissance, which emerged in the early 20th century. This movement marked the reemerging prominence of American Southern literature and its departure from the South’s previous literary focus on the Confederacy and conservatism. The Southern Renaissance movement was characterized by its exploration of the complexities of the American South, addressing themes such as race, identity, and social issues.
