It is probably this verisimilitude which has led some critics to speak of Anderson as a realist. We also see that his mother's death triggers George's decision to leave Winesburg, a decision realized in 'Departure.' Thus 'Death' is strongly tied to the rest of Winesburg, Ohio. One can almost hear the team of horses stamping on the hard-baked ground and see the circus posters on the high board fence. Of course, 'Sophistication,' the next tale, describes the meeting between George and Helen a few days later. These fragmentary glimpses of people and places make the reader feel that he knows a good deal about Winesburg and that it is a real town. In addition to Louise Trunnion and her father, Jake, Anderson mentions four other new characters and five stores or landmarks in the town. He has filled out his story, however, with a wealth of details about the other townspeople and the town of Winesburg. 'Nobody Knows' is one of the shortest stories in Winesburg, yet it would be even shorter if Anderson had described only the meeting between George and Louise. In his later encounter with Belle Carpenter ('An Awakening') and Helen White ('Sophistication'), George's growing maturity and sensitivity will be evidenced. She seems to have been trying to communicate to George her need not for sex but for love and understanding however, as in several other of the early stories in the book, George proves insensitive. For Louise, one suspects it is even more frustrating. In fact, Anderson seems to be suggesting that George's first sexual encounter is only physically satisfying it is really a perfunctory, meaningless act. This is, of course, a story that readers might consider pornographic, and some did when Winesburg was first published, although the meeting between Louise and George is described with restraint. George is obviously awkward and unsure of himself at first, but he gradually becomes more confident, eventually having his way with the girl. George jumps to his feet - although Anderson tells us, 'There had been no decision.' Driven, however, by some inner compulsion, the youth sneaks through the dark alleys to Louise's house and takes her for a walk. In this particular story the young reporter has received a note from Louise Trunnion stating, 'I'm yours if you want me.' As the tale opens, its setting is evening, as it is in so many of the stories. In 'Nobody Knows,' George Willard has the first of three significant encounters with women of Winesburg.

Sophistication sherwood anderson