![]() Over the course of the novel’s narrative William Stoner survives his close friend Dave Masters, killed at ‘Château-Thierry’ (38), in 1918 his mentor and ‘distant friend’ (91), Professor Archer Sloane his stoic father and then his stalwart mother his father-in-law, Horace Bostwick, committing suicide in the wake of ‘financial ruin’ (113), in 1929 and his daughter’s husband, Edward Frye, the father to Stoner’s seldom-seen grandchild, Edward, whose death in 1942 reflects that of Dave Masters, as both men are killed within months of commencing their seemingly futile active service in war. The novel is populated by spectres, both principal and peripheral figures within Stoner’s life. ![]() At points throughout the text, the theme is presented in light of instances of war and conflict, with Stoner subsequently haunted by a sense of despair and grief. In addition to these themes, I wish to add the subject of communication, and the dichotomy for the individual when electing to either internalise or reveal one’s thoughts, specifically in the wake of the feeling of loss. In his introduction to Vintage’s 2012 publication of Stoner, John McGahern identifies two principle subjects that permeate the novel: the theme of work, and its variety of forms, and the enduring strength of love. In addition to this, it is ‘the home of the University’ (emphasis added) that Stoner is drawn to and his ultimate separation from his kin is finalised at the age of twenty-four, within ‘a matter of five minutes or so at the register’s office’ (17), following a prospective meeting with Archer Sloane, and is subsequently tied to the University for the majority of the next thirty-eight years (276), until his death, in 1956. It is from this encounter on his ‘sophomore survey of English literature’ (18) that Stoner, and while initially commencing his Bachelor studies at the University in Agriculture, in 1910 (1), ‘drops’ and interrupts (13) his ‘Ag’ modules in order to take up his interest in the humanities: beginning introductory courses in ‘philosophy and ancient history’ and, more significantly, ‘two courses in English literature’ (13). It is a question which remains unanswered by the silentious undergraduate. However, the undergraduate’s future is drastically altered from his predetermined route in life following an awkward class experience with Archer Sloane, an influential, yet tempestuous, instructor (8) who would later become a ‘distant friend’ (91), and the class’s subject of William Shakespeare’s S onnet 73 as Stoner is unable to respond to the professor’s enquiry of ‘What does he say to you, Mr Stoner? What does the sonnet mean?’ (12). The titular character of the novel is an academic whose familial origins stem from a ‘small farm in central Missouri near the village of Booneville, some forty miles from Colombia, the home of the University’ from this, William Stoner’s life is seemingly destined to be tethered to the post of the rural homestead, bound to his descendancy as a farmer. Stoner, John Edward Williams’s third novel, is, in essence, a eulogy: an ode to one man’s quiet life. It’s also great for small groups, maybe a sleepover with your closest friends or as a tool for killing time on an especially long road trip.An Analysis of John Edward Williams’s Authorial Craft Never Have I Ever is a perfect party game because you can play with as many people as you want. Is it an ice breaker for a professional setting, like, say, a meet and greet with a new coworker? Maybe not, unless you’re really close. Like with most things, there’s a time and a place for a game like this. The person with the last finger standing wins! The Best Times to Play Never Have I Ever Every time a player has, in fact, done one of the things mentioned, they must put a finger down. As the person reading, you’ll need to choose a thing you actually haven’t done yourself - feel free to skip around the list, or substitute in some good “Never Have I Ever” questions of your own. Then, you’ll go around and take turns reading off a “Never Have I Ever” from the list. To start off, every player holds up their hands with all 10 fingers showing. Speaking of playing, if you need a refresher, here are the “Never Have I Ever" game rules. All you have to do is play! How to Play Never Have I Ever (Because, let’s be honest, secret swapping is the real reason we play this game.) Whether you’re looking for funny “Never Have I Ever” ideas or you’re the type of person who sticks to tell-all truth questions when playing Truth or Dare, you’ll find what you need below for a round that’s as fun as it is revealing. Looking for the best “Never Have I Ever" questions to level up your next group hang? This slumber party classic is perfect for a real-life or Zoom game - and we've done the work for you of whipping up some good “Never Have I Ever” questions that are perfect for getting your friends to spill.
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