An example of Hemmingway writing positively is when he writes about the reaction of Marjorie in lines 96 - 106. Instead of her being angry, upset, and very emotional at having found out that Nick wants to end the relationship

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The end of something

        I think the statement ‘Marjorie thought the old mill was like a romantic castle, which symbolised their love as being something that could never be destroyed. Nick remained silent as he thought the old mill was like their love in that it would eventually become a ruin’ is true because Marjorie does say that the mill feels like a castle ‘It seems more like a castle’ and I think that she is the romantic one in their relationship because all the way through the story she ‘looks’ up to him and does everything to please him. For example she asks him for instructions – ‘Should I let it drop?’ Therefore, she would symbolise the mill as a castle and their relationship is like it in a way that it cannot be destroyed. She feels that the relationship is fine because until the day of their fishing she has had no reason to doubt this. However, Nick remained silent as he thought the old mill was like their love that it would eventually become a ruin. I believe that this is true because his whole intention for taking her out on this particular say was to end their relationship. I know this because when Bill, his friend, is introduced towards the end he asks if she went ‘all right’ which suggests that he knew what Nick was planning to do which was to terminate the relationship.

 

        I think when the words ‘What’s the matter Nick? are said that Marjorie sences that something is wrong and that this is when Marjorie realises that the relationship is going to end. I think she feels sad, confused and anxious to know why and what is going through Nick’s head and his feelings and emotions. By her asking what is wrong, I feel she wants to connect with him and understand how he is coming to the conclusion of ending the relationship with her. I think Nick is worries but relieved that she has asked him this. Worried because he does not want to hurt her feelings because I feel he still cares for her- he must do because from what the author is telling us, they have been in a relationship for over 10 years. Even though they are breaking up, he must still feel something for her because they have spent a lot of time together. I think Nick feels relieved that she is asking ‘What’s the matter Nick?’ because this is his chance to tell her what is on his mind – which is that he doesn’t love her anymore/doesn’t want to be in a relationship any longer. I know this because further on in the story he tells her ‘It isn’t fun anymore?’ This is either to the relationship or about her.

        I think when Nick says ‘I don’t know’ I think he is worried, in denial and does not want to reveal much. I think he is worried because he is scared that she may be catching on about how he feels. Although he wants Marjorie to know how he feels so that it is easier for him to break up with her, he does not want her to find out because he is worried how she will react to his news. He does not know whether she will be angry or deeply hurt and is very worried about her reaction because he is unsure himself of what it will be. Nick is in denial at this point because he is discarding what he feels in order to protect Marjorie or indeed himself. He could be in denial to protect himself because Marjorie may be violent in this situation because the man she loves is breaking her heart by telling her he wants no further to do with her. She could be violent towards Nick physically because he was violent towards Marjorie emotionally. Nick could be in denial to protect Marjorie because he does not want to hurt her. He knows that he does not feel much for her as he did once before but he wants to protect Marjorie from knowing this because he knows that it will break her heart. I think at this point he does not want to reveal much to Marjorie because of the result that Marjorie will feel on the bearing of the news. She is bound to be upset and he just wants her to know that he wants to end the relationship. He doesn’t want to reveal much like the reasons why or how because then she will be more hurt because she will be asking herself ‘Could I have done things differently?’ and other rhetorical questions about what she could do to prevent this from happening. I think Marjorie is confused and upset at this point because she knows that there is something wrong. She knows this because he has been very short with her all day. She does not understand why he will not tell her what’s the matter and why he can’t trust her to reveal all. I think Marjorie is upset because she has an incline that the relationship might be over because the hints throughout the day. The fact that Nick has been short with her, the fact he hasn’t been physical with the fact he hasn’t been physical with her – e.g holding her hands, romantic e.t.c.

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        When Nick says ‘There’s going to be a moon tonight’. I feel Nick is changing the subject and does not want to get too into the previous one because then Marjorie will find out how he feels and will be upset and I feel Nick feels that is too soon to reveal this information. I feel Marjorie knows he is changing the subject and doesn’t want him too. I think Marjorie knows she was getting to the point where Nick was about to disclose the information what was on his mind and then he got scared and stopped. I ...

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