9-3 Ernest Hemingway

Ernest Hemingway was born in 1899 in Oak Park, Illinois.  His father was a physician.  He was taught the ways of hunting and fishing by his father.  Hemingway like many other writers worked for some time as a journalist.  Hemingway sought out to join the military, but was rejected due to poor vision.  He found a way on by volunteering as a driver and was later transferred over to work in the Italian front.  Unfortunately for him he was wounded in an explosion.  Upon his recovery he worked as a foreign correspondent.  Hemingway’s writing help create a revolution in literary style.  He used precise imagery, and an impersonal dramatic tone.  Hemingway became the spokesperson for a lost generation.

Ernest Hemingway's story, "The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber" was a whirlwind of surprises for me. Mr. and Mrs. Macomber are on an African safari hunting trip.  At a glance Francis Macomber seems like a strong man, but it becomes apparent he is a coward in so many ways.  His wife Margot is very beautiful and takes full advantage of his inability to be assertive and stand up for himself.  Robert Wilson is there guide for the trip.  Robert Wilson was a very unconventional man, he defiantly did not follow the rules.  He like to do things his own way rather it broke the law or not.  He even brought a double cot along when he thought he could sleep with women.  As he guided them on their hunting trip, Margot began showing interest in Wilson.  As the story progresses her interest becomes more open and she does not even try to hide it from Macomber.  She even kisses Wilson in front of Macomber and eventually she sleeps with Wilson.  She is dominant over him and uses his cowardice to her advantage.  When they were hunting lions, Macomber became very scared and fled.  I think that just was a symbol of how cowardly he really was.  Throughout the story he began to transform from a boy to a man.  Another opportunity arises and they are hunting water buffalo.  Margot at first was enjoying the hunt, until she saw a change in Macomber.  He was gaining confidence and she was losing control.  When he does not flee the scene this time she loses it and shoots him.  Wilson is shocked and knows this was not an accident.  He is in a position where he can not say anything.  She has too much dirt on him.  Now they are even.  Even though Macomber dies and Margot gets away with it, the story ends on a happy note.  Macomber finally got his manhood and he died a real man.