What do you think?
Rate this book
منِ احمق
49 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1922
About the author
Sherwood Anderson
353 books568 followersOften autobiographical, works of American writer Sherwood Anderson include
Winesburg, Ohio
(1919).
He supported his family and consequently never finished high school. He successfully managed a paint factory in Elyria before 1912 and fathered three children with the first of his four wives. In 1912, Anderson deserted his family and job.
In early 1913, he moved to Chicago, where he devoted more time to his imagination. He broke with considered materialism and convention to commit to art as a consequently heroic model for youth.
Mainly know for his short stories, most notably the collection Winesburg, Ohio. One can hear its profound influence on fiction in Ernest Miller Hemingway, William Faulkner, Thomas Clayton Wolfe, John Ernst Steinbeck, and Erskine Preston Caldwell.
Most important book collects 22 stories. The stories explore the inhabitants of a fictional version of Clyde, the small farm town, where Anderson lived for twelve early years. These tales made a significant break with the traditional short story. Instead of emphasizing plot and action, Anderson used a simple, precise, unsentimental style to reveal the frustration, loneliness, and longing in the lives of his characters. The narrowness of Midwestern small-town life and their own limitations stunt these characters.
Despite no wholly successful novel, Anderson composed several classic short stories. He influenced Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald and the coming generation.
He supported his family and consequently never finished high school. He successfully managed a paint factory in Elyria before 1912 and fathered three children with the first of his four wives. In 1912, Anderson deserted his family and job.
In early 1913, he moved to Chicago, where he devoted more time to his imagination. He broke with considered materialism and convention to commit to art as a consequently heroic model for youth.
Mainly know for his short stories, most notably the collection Winesburg, Ohio. One can hear its profound influence on fiction in Ernest Miller Hemingway, William Faulkner, Thomas Clayton Wolfe, John Ernst Steinbeck, and Erskine Preston Caldwell.
Most important book collects 22 stories. The stories explore the inhabitants of a fictional version of Clyde, the small farm town, where Anderson lived for twelve early years. These tales made a significant break with the traditional short story. Instead of emphasizing plot and action, Anderson used a simple, precise, unsentimental style to reveal the frustration, loneliness, and longing in the lives of his characters. The narrowness of Midwestern small-town life and their own limitations stunt these characters.
Despite no wholly successful novel, Anderson composed several classic short stories. He influenced Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald and the coming generation.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 3, 2016
داستان کمی مرا به یاد ناطور دشت سلینجر انداخت , از این نظر که هردو شخصیت این دو داستان مجزا , سعی دارند خودشان را بالا تر از چیزی که هستند به مردم و اطرافیان نشان دهند اما حماقت شخصیت داستان منِ احمق در نوع خودش بانمک بود هرچند به شدت از آدم هایی که یاوه میگویند و خالی میبندند متنفرم و این بانمک بودنش دلیل بر این نیست این شخصیت را دوست داشته باشم و براین باورم شاید اگر خود واقعی اش را نشان میداد اینقدر در طول داستان به خودش نمیگفت من یک احمقم و امکان داشت این وسط به یک نون و نوایی هم برسد , خدا را چه دیدیم ...!
پیشنهاد میکنم اگر در زندگی با کسانی در رفت و آمد هستیم که سعی میکنند با هر دروغ و کلکی ما را در کنار خودشان نگه دارند و سرمان شیره بمالند حتما یک نسخه از این داستان کوتاه را به علاوه ی اندکی ریشخند ! بریشان بفرستیم تا بخوانند , شاید عاقبت این احمق داستان که خودش را با این نام میخواند واعترافش به حماقتش باعث شود هم پی ببرند که انسانیم و گوش و دمی نداریم هم اینکه شاید پندی پنهانی شود برای دعوت به راست گویی و صداقت هرچند فقط امید دارم پند شود ! آمین !
پیشنهاد میکنم اگر در زندگی با کسانی در رفت و آمد هستیم که سعی میکنند با هر دروغ و کلکی ما را در کنار خودشان نگه دارند و سرمان شیره بمالند حتما یک نسخه از این داستان کوتاه را به علاوه ی اندکی ریشخند ! بریشان بفرستیم تا بخوانند , شاید عاقبت این احمق داستان که خودش را با این نام میخواند واعترافش به حماقتش باعث شود هم پی ببرند که انسانیم و گوش و دمی نداریم هم اینکه شاید پندی پنهانی شود برای دعوت به راست گویی و صداقت هرچند فقط امید دارم پند شود ! آمین !
August 16, 2022
3 stars
فکر و اندیشه شروود اندرسون از تبار ژان ژاک روسو است. آنجا که می گوید تمدن و شهر نشینی به جای اعتلای اخلاقی انسان سبب رشد رذالت های اخلاقی او شده است پس همان بهتر که به زندگی های روستایی و جوامع ابتدایی برگردیم در جایی که پول، زیبایی چهره، نژاد و طبقه اجتماعی تعیین کننده انسانیت انسان نیست بلکه انسانِ، بِه ما هُوَ انسان است که ارزش دارد
در بخش اول داستان ، خواهرِ راوی شغل مِهتری راوی( برادرش) را دون شان خودش می داند زیرا او اکنون معلم است و یک انسان مفید از نظر جامعه( تمدن) همچنین راوی زندگی و تجربه ناشی از آن را از کوچه و خیابان ها به دست آورده و آن را از تجربه به دست آمده در مدرسه و دانشگاه( که نماد تمدن است) مُرجح می داند... درگیری راوی با انسان شیک پوش که کروات زده در بار ، خروش و تقابل انسان است به ظواهر تمدن
نویسنده می خواهد عنوان کند که تمدن به جای رشد اخلاقی، دنائت اخلاقی به بار می آورد و نشانه این امر در داستان در جاییست که راوی تمام پس اندازش را صرف دیدن مسابقه اسبدوانی می کند، لباس شیک می خرد، به هتل شیک مخصوص پولدارها می رود و بلیط طبقه اعیان را تهیه می کند و در بخش ویژه شروع به تماشا مسابقه می کند، در ادامه برای شکل دادن رابطه اش با دختری که در آنجا میبیند شروع می کند به دروغ بافی.... در حالیکه اگر همانند قبل عادی رفتار میکرد و با بار نمیرفت( مشروب نمیخورد تا بوی دهانش او را انسانی غیر متعهد و لااُبالی نشان دهد) و لباس شیک نمی پوشید طبعا دیگر نیازی نبود ( نمی توانست) خودش را از خانواده مطرح معرفی کند و در مقابل دختر دغل بازی کند.... و بعد میفهمد که در هر حالت که بخواهید زندگی بکنید چه در دنیای تمدن و چه در دنیای اولیه و جوامع ابتدایی، رعایت اصول اخلاقی است که حافظ و نگهدار انسان است
فکر و اندیشه شروود اندرسون از تبار ژان ژاک روسو است. آنجا که می گوید تمدن و شهر نشینی به جای اعتلای اخلاقی انسان سبب رشد رذالت های اخلاقی او شده است پس همان بهتر که به زندگی های روستایی و جوامع ابتدایی برگردیم در جایی که پول، زیبایی چهره، نژاد و طبقه اجتماعی تعیین کننده انسانیت انسان نیست بلکه انسانِ، بِه ما هُوَ انسان است که ارزش دارد
در بخش اول داستان ، خواهرِ راوی شغل مِهتری راوی( برادرش) را دون شان خودش می داند زیرا او اکنون معلم است و یک انسان مفید از نظر جامعه( تمدن) همچنین راوی زندگی و تجربه ناشی از آن را از کوچه و خیابان ها به دست آورده و آن را از تجربه به دست آمده در مدرسه و دانشگاه( که نماد تمدن است) مُرجح می داند... درگیری راوی با انسان شیک پوش که کروات زده در بار ، خروش و تقابل انسان است به ظواهر تمدن
نویسنده می خواهد عنوان کند که تمدن به جای رشد اخلاقی، دنائت اخلاقی به بار می آورد و نشانه این امر در داستان در جاییست که راوی تمام پس اندازش را صرف دیدن مسابقه اسبدوانی می کند، لباس شیک می خرد، به هتل شیک مخصوص پولدارها می رود و بلیط طبقه اعیان را تهیه می کند و در بخش ویژه شروع به تماشا مسابقه می کند، در ادامه برای شکل دادن رابطه اش با دختری که در آنجا میبیند شروع می کند به دروغ بافی.... در حالیکه اگر همانند قبل عادی رفتار میکرد و با بار نمیرفت( مشروب نمیخورد تا بوی دهانش او را انسانی غیر متعهد و لااُبالی نشان دهد) و لباس شیک نمی پوشید طبعا دیگر نیازی نبود ( نمی توانست) خودش را از خانواده مطرح معرفی کند و در مقابل دختر دغل بازی کند.... و بعد میفهمد که در هر حالت که بخواهید زندگی بکنید چه در دنیای تمدن و چه در دنیای اولیه و جوامع ابتدایی، رعایت اصول اخلاقی است که حافظ و نگهدار انسان است
March 5, 2024
داستان خودمونی جالبی داشت، ترجمه ی علی جعفری عالی بود. کیف کردم :)))
September 6, 2021
حماقت شخصیت اصلی این داستان دقیقا از اون جنس حماقت‌هاییه که آدم هر موقع یادش میوفته دوست داره با تمام وجود سرش رو بزنه تو دیوار و همون لحظه خودش رو نیست کنه به خاطر کارش.
June 28, 2024
This story, written in 1922 by Sherwood Anderson, is about a 19-year-old young man, the narrator of the story, who has left his mother and sister’s home in Canton, Ohio, to work as a “swipe” (a groom, whose job it is to care for race horses, feed, sweep out stalls, exercise, feed, etc., when they are not racing, harness racing in this case). He works with a friend, Harry Whitehead, and an African-American man (in the story, the term is quite outdatedly pejorative) named Burt, who is more experienced and “shows the narrator the ropes.” The narrator claims that he is satisfied with this mundane work, with disdain for those with riches:
“You’d find out about horses and men and pick up a lot of stuff you could use all the rest of your life, if you had some sense and salted down what you heard and felt and saw…You can stick your colleges up your nose for all me. I guess I know where I got my education.”
At the end of the road tour of races, he and Burt meet up with a friend of Burt’s who works at the estate of a wealthy man, who owns racehorses but lets others manage them. the narrator then puts on fancy clothes and goes into Sandusky, into a bar where he drinks whiskey, puts down a well-dressed man, then goes to the races, where he meets and befriends a young man, Wilbur Wesson, his sister Lucy and another young woman, Elinor Woodbury. The narrator is taken with Lucy and in a ploy to impress her tells a lie that comes back to punish him and sabotage any further contact with Lucy. He expresses a good deal of regret, especially since he finds he did not need to lie for him to like her.
This is an interesting coming-of-age tale, reflecting ambivalence about one’s current state of life and wanting something better for himself, but also about the perils of putting on a false front and coming to understand that one need not do so to impress a young lady. In the Wikipedia article about this story, William Faulkner is quoted thus: “I think that, next to ‘Heart of Darkness’ by Conrad, that…’I’m a Fool’ is the best story I’ve read.” Well, I don’t quite agree with that perspective, but it certainly was an interesting read. Four stars.
This story was made into a TV program, part of the “American Short Story” series, this one from 1976 and narrated by Henry Fonda, can be found on YouTube. It stars Ron Howard, who is given a name, Andy, as the narrator, Amy Irving as Lucy Wesson, and Santiago Gonzalez as Burt, who is given a larger role than in the story, especially in the process of teaching Andy about the ins and outs of being a good groom, plus confronting Andy about his blaming “whiskey and well-dressed dandies” for his misfortune, rather than taking more mature responsibility for his own actions. Good adaptation, go watch it.
“You’d find out about horses and men and pick up a lot of stuff you could use all the rest of your life, if you had some sense and salted down what you heard and felt and saw…You can stick your colleges up your nose for all me. I guess I know where I got my education.”
At the end of the road tour of races, he and Burt meet up with a friend of Burt’s who works at the estate of a wealthy man, who owns racehorses but lets others manage them. the narrator then puts on fancy clothes and goes into Sandusky, into a bar where he drinks whiskey, puts down a well-dressed man, then goes to the races, where he meets and befriends a young man, Wilbur Wesson, his sister Lucy and another young woman, Elinor Woodbury. The narrator is taken with Lucy and in a ploy to impress her tells a lie that comes back to punish him and sabotage any further contact with Lucy. He expresses a good deal of regret, especially since he finds he did not need to lie for him to like her.
This is an interesting coming-of-age tale, reflecting ambivalence about one’s current state of life and wanting something better for himself, but also about the perils of putting on a false front and coming to understand that one need not do so to impress a young lady. In the Wikipedia article about this story, William Faulkner is quoted thus: “I think that, next to ‘Heart of Darkness’ by Conrad, that…’I’m a Fool’ is the best story I’ve read.” Well, I don’t quite agree with that perspective, but it certainly was an interesting read. Four stars.
This story was made into a TV program, part of the “American Short Story” series, this one from 1976 and narrated by Henry Fonda, can be found on YouTube. It stars Ron Howard, who is given a name, Andy, as the narrator, Amy Irving as Lucy Wesson, and Santiago Gonzalez as Burt, who is given a larger role than in the story, especially in the process of teaching Andy about the ins and outs of being a good groom, plus confronting Andy about his blaming “whiskey and well-dressed dandies” for his misfortune, rather than taking more mature responsibility for his own actions. Good adaptation, go watch it.
June 10, 2020
I gave this short story four stars in recognition of the uniqueness of the author’s use of language and style. The syntax and language of the early 19th Century captured the structural framework of middle and lower socio-economic blue collar America. The uses of words like, “gay”, “chesty”, and “nigger” were used in a very different manner and meaning than today. The remnants of these linguistic patterns and social mores were still very much in evidence during my growing up in the 1940s and ‘50s. It accounts in no small measure for the hostility over word usage between my generation and the social justice activists of today.
What drew me to the story was the last sentence of the first paragraph in the biographical introduction: “He wrote later that he had ‘always understood horses better than men.’” With sixty years in the saddle behind me working in the rigid aristocracy of Big Basin buckaroo cow country, I related to the horses and I understood the class system in effect as the story progressed.
The story is told in an autobiographical fashion about the connection between the author and a comely, young middle-class lass, a Ms. Lucy Wessen. Due to class strictures present, such a liaison, while not exactly scandalous, was frowned upon by the superior class. The protagonist, in an effort to establish his worth in the eyes of the young lady found himself in a social minefield and, in his mind, committed an unpardonable error.
A a fan in my undergrad university days of D.H. Lawrence, I did not see the similarity pointed out by the introductory author, but I may be reacting to the smoothness of Lawrence compared to the commonness of Anderson. The additional comarisons to Twain, Hemingway, and Faulkner are seen in the authenticity of the colloquial mode of expression genuine to the time.
Love and circumstance. Timeless.
What drew me to the story was the last sentence of the first paragraph in the biographical introduction: “He wrote later that he had ‘always understood horses better than men.’” With sixty years in the saddle behind me working in the rigid aristocracy of Big Basin buckaroo cow country, I related to the horses and I understood the class system in effect as the story progressed.
The story is told in an autobiographical fashion about the connection between the author and a comely, young middle-class lass, a Ms. Lucy Wessen. Due to class strictures present, such a liaison, while not exactly scandalous, was frowned upon by the superior class. The protagonist, in an effort to establish his worth in the eyes of the young lady found himself in a social minefield and, in his mind, committed an unpardonable error.
A a fan in my undergrad university days of D.H. Lawrence, I did not see the similarity pointed out by the introductory author, but I may be reacting to the smoothness of Lawrence compared to the commonness of Anderson. The additional comarisons to Twain, Hemingway, and Faulkner are seen in the authenticity of the colloquial mode of expression genuine to the time.
Love and circumstance. Timeless.
July 9, 2018
داستان ''نمی‌فهمم چرا'' رو خیلی نپسندیدم اما ''من یک احمقم'' داستان دوست‌داشتنی بود. سبک هردو داستان کاملا مثل ناطور دشت بود و در واقع همین سادگی لحنش نقطه قوتش بود.
April 19, 2020
The short story begins with a 19-year-old boy, known as a big man, who is a swipe at a local racetrack. He brags about his career despite the job has no future. His best friend and fellow worker Burt, travel together from track to track living the good life. The boy’s family thought of him as a disgrace because of his job, so he eventually quits and gets a more promising job. One day he goes to the horse track as an audience member, he walks in the bar and orders a drink and expensive cigars. He sits in the grandstand pretending to be a high member of society. He meets Wilbur Wessen and his sister Lucy. The Wessen’s grow a liking to him and says his name introduces himself as Walter Mathers, son of the owner of a noted racehorse. Later in the evening he and Lucy went to a quiet spot on the lake. She told him she was taking a train and leaving the next day with her brother. He grew sad because he realized he was losing her and she never liked him because of his false identity or wealth, but him as a person. As he saw Lucy leaving on the train the following day, he began to cry because he would never see her again and he was a fool to lie. I enjoyed this book not only because it was interesting, but because it also teaches a lesson. The lesson is that lying will get you nowhere and it will eventually catch up to. I would recommend this book to young adult readers who want a short read and anyone needing to hear a good message.
March 19, 2018
“She wasn’t stuck on me because of the lie about my father being rich and all that. There’s a way you know… Craps amighty. There’s a kind of girl you see just once in your life, and if you don’t get busy and make hay, then you’re gone for good and all, and might as well go jump offa bridge. They give you a look from inside of them somewhere, and it ain’t no vamping, and what it means is—you want that girl to be your wife, and you want nice things around her like flowers and swell clothes, and you want her to have the kids you’re going to have, and you want good music played and no rag time. Gee whizz.”
Any fool can find love. But can he keep her? Is she even real? Or a lovely half-remembered dream? Beautiful folksy prose.
Any fool can find love. But can he keep her? Is she even real? Or a lovely half-remembered dream? Beautiful folksy prose.
August 6, 2024
خب باید بگم که این داستان کوتاه، بیشتر با عنوان «توی زرنگ!» در ذهنم باق�� خواهد موند :)
حاوی اسپویل:
حاوی اسپویل:
September 4, 2022
I have read this several times, and it has some of my favorite elements of a short story; It's not too long, it has a clearly defined plot, the character is unique and it has a subtle moral message. But it's never been one of my favorites.
It is a valuable example of colloquial language, and when studying it the modern reader can see how words that people use can go out of fashion or become unacceptable. There are a lot of those in this story.
Included in Perrine's "Structure, Sound and Sense" as well as "The Golden Argosy" edited by Cartmell and Grayson
It is a valuable example of colloquial language, and when studying it the modern reader can see how words that people use can go out of fashion or become unacceptable. There are a lot of those in this story.
Included in Perrine's "Structure, Sound and Sense" as well as "The Golden Argosy" edited by Cartmell and Grayson
April 5, 2021
This was a really well written story but it is definitely of its time in both language and social mores. His assumptions of the proper ways to behave are definitely archaic. Also because we only get his viewpoint as he narrates the story, we don't know if his impressions of the girl are accurate. Anyway it was an interesting read.
April 24, 2024
Anderson's prose is very American, reading similarly to Twain or Hemingway. "I'm a Fool" is a short story about an American boy who tells a lie in order to impress a girl. A lie which develops the opportunity for them to get to know each other, but ultimately will prevent the relationship from developing further.
January 21, 2018
The folksy language of this story and the girl chasing, silly perspective did not move my personal needle one way or the other. It is a story of its day.
I get the appeal of Sherwood Anderson but don't think I'll pursue his work much further.
I get the appeal of Sherwood Anderson but don't think I'll pursue his work much further.
May 29, 2020
A short story about a man who gives a false name and impression so that he appears to be a big shot. The plan backfires when he is interested in one of the ladies in the group. His false image destroys the opportunity to pursue the relationship.
February 11, 2020
She’s the kind of girl “you see just once in your life,” and he foolishly blows his chance.
March 17, 2023
I wasn’t sure where it was going at first but i liked it and thought it was really witty
July 25, 2024
This is the second time I've heard this story adapted and performed by Orson Welles for a Mercury Theater radio show. It's fun to hear him play against type in bits like this before he became a go-to for playing antiheroes, kings and assorted heavies for the rest of his career.
What is notable about this short story is how it sustains the voice and inner thoughts of a character throughout, and in many ways I see this voice as a precursor to Holden Caulfield in The Catcher in the Rye: bombastic, agitated, hormonal, defensive, insecure and potentially violent. It's from the point of view of a teenage boy who has no idea what he's doing or how to do it, resulting in a internal blowout that sounds like a small child threatening to pack his things, run away and live life as a hobo. It's kind of funny but it also isn't, since this kind of behavior can fester in a man long after adolescence and could become much more of a problem if he doesn't grow up. And as many of us already know, not growing up is a privilege certain men can afford.
While reading more about Anderson I came across an analysis of this piece on Slap Happy Larry, which made me laugh. His conclusion is pretty straightforward: "I don't get a 'genius' vibe from this snippet of Anderson's oeuvre. But I sure am sick of stories about the regrets of men who don't get to do exactly what they want with their dicks. Especially for when it's being like dicks."
I find I'm a Fool funny and have empathy for this kid screwing up, but I'm not naive enough to ignore the potential nastiness that is motivating his behavior. It's a snapshot of a personality that could veer one way or another, and whether he's simply young and dumb or unapologetically self-pitying and entitled remains to be seen. Only a sequel could reveal that, and to my knowledge Anderson never revisited this character again.
What is notable about this short story is how it sustains the voice and inner thoughts of a character throughout, and in many ways I see this voice as a precursor to Holden Caulfield in The Catcher in the Rye: bombastic, agitated, hormonal, defensive, insecure and potentially violent. It's from the point of view of a teenage boy who has no idea what he's doing or how to do it, resulting in a internal blowout that sounds like a small child threatening to pack his things, run away and live life as a hobo. It's kind of funny but it also isn't, since this kind of behavior can fester in a man long after adolescence and could become much more of a problem if he doesn't grow up. And as many of us already know, not growing up is a privilege certain men can afford.
While reading more about Anderson I came across an analysis of this piece on Slap Happy Larry, which made me laugh. His conclusion is pretty straightforward: "I don't get a 'genius' vibe from this snippet of Anderson's oeuvre. But I sure am sick of stories about the regrets of men who don't get to do exactly what they want with their dicks. Especially for when it's being like dicks."
I find I'm a Fool funny and have empathy for this kid screwing up, but I'm not naive enough to ignore the potential nastiness that is motivating his behavior. It's a snapshot of a personality that could veer one way or another, and whether he's simply young and dumb or unapologetically self-pitying and entitled remains to be seen. Only a sequel could reveal that, and to my knowledge Anderson never revisited this character again.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews