Analysis of The Killers by Hemingway

1393 Words3 Pages

The Evidence of professionalism on the part of the two killers, Al and

Max, is that they both wear a kind of uniform. They wear overcoats

that are too tight for them, gloves to prevent finger prints, and

Derby hats. This might be for intimidation, to suggest they are

gangsters or something similar, or it could be so that they are not so

easily identified by people describing them to the police. They secure

the diner before they start the intimidation. They also act

professionally when dealing with the hostages, George, Nick and Sam,

by confusing them. The two killers had done their homework as they

knew that if Andreson was coming he would come at 6:00. When Max is

talking to George he looks in the mirror and not directly at him. They

confuse George by ordering food that's not available and not listening

to George when he's telling them what they can have. They then confuse

him by forgetting what they ordered. They also tease George and Nick

by calling them "bright boy" and suggesting that they are homosexual

to make them fell small and insignificant. They say things like "go

around the other side of the counter with your boyfriend" and "you'd

make some girl a nice wife, bright boy."

Al and Max seem to have known each other for a long time because they

make fun of each other and argue a lot. I think Al might be the

superior of the two because he accuses Max of "talking too damn much."

He also seems the more professional of the two because he criticises

the way Max talks too much to George and telling him too much about

why they're here and what they're doing. I think he just wants to get

the job done and get out of there while Ma...

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...nt story because of the way Al and Max treat George,

Nick and Sam. Although they are not physically violent but there are

many examples of them being emotionally abusive. And there is a threat

of violence through the whole story. They abuse George and Nick's

sexuality and make racist comments about Sam. It is also violent in

the sense of what Al and Max were planning to do to Ole Andreson.

The ending of the story is very effective as a cliff hanger. No one knows

what happens to Ole and the

question about why they wanted him dead is left unanswered. Also when

Nick says "I'm going to get out of this town" it leaves you wondering

about all the characters and what happen next. It also leaves you

wondering what kind of town Summitis and if this happens often. It is

left up to the reader to think about what will happen next.

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