Short Happy Life Of Francis Macomber Essay

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In Hemingway’s short story, “The Short, Happy Life of Francis Macomber,” Hemingway uses the writer’s technique of perspective to show readers the characterization of the three protagonists in the story. Hemingway creates a multi-part claim using perspective as well as dialogue to show readers a pervasive, negative tone carried throughout the story. Robert Wilson, Margaret Macomber, and Francis Macomber are characterized by multiple perspectives with multiple traits and negative aspects to their character development. To begin, throughout the story, Hemingway uses Robert Wilson to give readers different perspectives on things as Wilson goes from being misanthropic and negatively judgemental to seeking understanding and being appraising of Macomber’s …show more content…

Wilson does this by trying to understand why Macomber is nervous; he remembers that Macomber’s inexperience must make him see things in a different light than that which Wilson sees things in. This proves Wilson’s character to be more internally conflicted and aware of his character flaws than is seen of him in the beginning. This timeline of intrapersonal thought helps build Wilson’s characterization as rude and judgemental. In addition to seeking understanding, readers see Wilson’s final characterization development in his appraisal of Francis Macomber.This is seen when “Wilson looked at him appraisingly. Damned if this isn’t a strange one, he thought. Yesterday he’s scared sick and today he’s a ruddy fire eater” (Hemingway 22). In the end, Wilson appreciates Macomber’s character and even goes as far as to praise him. Wilson is proud of what Macomber becomes by the end of the short story and admits that he takes a certain and peculiar liking to Francis. This is Hemingway’s way of showing readers a vulnerable side of Wilson, a side that connects with Macomber through Macomber showing strength in the presence of a challenge, persevering through the disgust

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