Ernest Hemingway

Ernest Hemingway was one of the greatest writers of the century. He was born at the close of the old century but was able to see the Disorders of the new century. Hemingway was marvelous in bringing about his pictorial effects for his readers even in his drunken state. Hemingway was skilled in the way he presented the “real” and “concrete” to be the first essentials in his writing. He put life back on the page so that we could see the grim reality of the truth. Hemingway’s style brought minute details to the surface so that the readers would understand his meanings. In the stories that I have chosen the critics have analyzed the story. In this paper I intend to prove that Ernest Hemingways writing in “Soldiers Home” and “Hills Like White Elephants” influenced American writing styles through Symbols, Themes and writing techniques.

In several of Hemingway’s short stories, he uses one or more animals as symbols around which the story revolves. As central symbols, Hemingway’s animals are the manifestations of the psychological states and emotional desire of the main characters in the stories. He uses the symbols to enable the reader to comprehend the often not stated psychological forces that motivates them. Hemingway’s use of symbolism is a contribution to the richness of his characters. It provides the reader with a vehicle through which they can associate. Without them the stories would lose much of their color and clarity. In the short story “Soldiers Home,” Majorie Smelstor said “ the title of this story suggests a familiar American landmark and symbol, The soldier’s home, a place for retired military to live and relive their war experiences“ In this tale, however, the soldier’s home is neither a haven for ex-soldiers nor an environment for reminiscing” (MaGill 2170). Another symbol is the lies that Kerb lives with every day. Marjorie Smelstor said “For the townspeople do not want to hear the truth about the atrocities of battle, preferring, instead, lies about the heroics of war” (MaGill 2170). Marjorie Smelstor said In the end of the story “Mrs. Kerb’s reasserts her maternal role, reminding her son that she held him next to her heart when he was a tiny baby, Reducing kerb’s to the juvenile lie:” “I know, mummy… I’ll try and be a good boy for you” (MaGill 2171).

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...ise” is a cleansing drink. It has a seed that aids in expelling gas from the alimentary canal to relieve colic. Colic is a paroxysm of abdominal pain localized in a hollow organ. The American orders this drink for him and the girl. “This clearly shows you that the conflict and lack of communication between the two of them” (Passey 33). The answer is still unresolved and the girl must choose between the man and the baby. At the end of the story the reader is not sure of the girl's decision. Hemingway left the end of the story unresolved.

In his life time Ernest Hemingway enjoyed tremendous success as a writer. His ability to describe a story in detail was his best talent. On the two stories, Ernest showed his unique ability of story telling. Hemingway was very clever in using Symbols to bring his characters to life. Hemingway wrote many of war stories but was never a soldier. He just had the talent of looking at life and writing it down in a symbolic way. Most all the critics come up with the conclusion that Hemingway was truly talented. He influenced other American writers with his style, symbols, themes and technique.