Study Questions for the Short Story, "Hills Like White Elephants" by Hemingway
Study Questions for the Short Story, "Hills Like White Elephants" General Directions: The questions for this story will get you to think about a theme for the story. Before you re-read and again after you re-read the story, review the study questions and try to answer them for yourself. They may be the basis of quiz questions in a course, or they may help you to write an essay about the story. The theme of a story is some implication about human nature that goes beyond the literal story. It's a statement that the author seems to be driving at--or to be driven by. It's your view of the meaning behind the story based on your image of the characters, their motivation, the setting and plotting of the story, the trustworthiness of the narrator, the author's writing style and symbolism, as well as the cultural, historical, and biographical implications for the story. After you figure out what the author's image of life is, you need to go back through the story to figure out what details support your view. You also need to be able to explain away any details that don't support your view of the story's meaning. Study Questions for "Hills Like White Elephants" . Looking back on the story, list the evidence that tells what kind of operation Jig is confronting. How risky is it physically and emotionally? (See one group's answer here.) The Evidence for Abortion LOOKING BACK ON
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
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
Ernest Hemmingway.
Ernest Hemmingway Ernest Miller Hemingway was born on July 21, 1899, in Oak Park, Illinois. His father was the owner of a prosperous real estate business. His father, Dr. Hemingway, imparted to Ernest the importance of appearances, especially in public. Dr. Hemingway invented surgical forceps for which he would not accept money. He believed that one should not profit from something important for the good of mankind. Ernest's father, a man of high ideals, was very strict and censored the books he allowed his children to read. He forbad Ernest's sister from studying ballet for it was coeducational, and dancing together led to "hell and damnation". Grace Hall Hemingway, Ernest's mother, considered herself pure and proper. She was a dreamer who was upset at anything which disturbed her perception of the world as beautiful. She hated dirty diapers, upset stomachs, and cleaning house; they were not fit for a lady. She taught her children to always act with decorum. She adored the singing of the birds and the smell of flowers. Her children were expected to behave properly and to please her, always. Mrs. Hemingway treated Ernest, when he was a small boy, as if he were a female baby doll and she dressed him accordingly. This arrangement was alright until Ernest got to the age when he wanted to be a "gun-toting Pawnee Bill". He began, at that time, to pull away from
The Code Hero in The Sun Also Rises
Lindsay Mitchell Mrs. Holladay AP ENG November 1, 2002 The Code Hero in The Sun Also Rises Ernest Hemingway is famous for his portrayal of war-torn populations, especially those affected by World War I. The "Great War," as it is referred to, caused a lapse in values and standards in the generation who suffered through it, permanently damaging the remainder of their lives. Hemingway is equally famous for the use of a code hero who struggles to live in this post World War I age. Five different qualities, all of them the result of a physical or emotional wound, characterize Hemingway's code hero. This "anti-hero," for he never wins, is a habitual drinker, has varying levels of sanity, uses women, escapes through a variety of means, and is not content. In Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises, Jake Barnes is the code hero who strives to live with dignity and grace despite his physical and symbolic wounds from World War I. The physical and symbolic implications of Jake's war wound are the source of his struggle. As a soldier is World War I, Jake suffers an injury that leaves him impotent. As if this physical wound is not enough, Jake's impotency takes on a symbolic meaning as well. This wound, which "still throbs and gives him pain" (Rovit 157), causes Jake to believe that because he cannot sexually fulfill anyone, he also cannot have a lasting relationship. He tells people
"The Killers" by Ernest Hemingway.
Bret Corrigan "The Killers" by Ernest Hemingway Part I: Ernest Hemingway, a revolutionary novelist and short-story writer of the twentieth century, had a profound effect on a new movement of literature, known as Modernism. Hemingway helped to shape Modernism through his fragmented writing style, which often portrayed a pessimistic picture of a culture in disarray, as it did in the short story, "The Killers". Hemingway's seemingly simple language and plot is in reality highly complex and difficult. This is attributed to several ambiguities as well as his fragmented style, which regularly omits expressions, transitions, explanations, and resolutions. "The Killers" is lacking in unity and coherence of plot and character, mainly because of the omission of a great deal of background material. This is evident from the beginning where hardly any exposition exists. "At first glance, the opening sentence of Hemingway's story...seems to be eradicated from the longer context" (Renkiel). Hemingway barely provides any information concerning the setting, leaving the reader a little lost. He then goes on to omit several explanations, which creates a sense of uncertainty and doubt. For instance, the reader never learns the reason that the two hit men, Al and Max, have been dispatched to murder Ole Anderson. George, the owner of the diner, thinks Anderson must have double-crossed some
Feline Symbolism in The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber and The Snows of Kilimanjaro by Ernest Hemingway.
Purrfect Strengths and Clawing Weaknesses: Feline Symbolism in "The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber" and "The Snows of Kilimanjaro" Jennifer Cha Biotechnology High School Abstract The purpose of this research paper is to analyze the use of feline symbolism to enhance a character's features in Hemingway's short stories "The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber" and "The Snows of Kilimanjaro." The analysis will cover how felines are used as foils to bring out the strengths and weaknesses of the main characters in both stories. Hemingway uses the symbolic meaning for the lion in "The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber" and the leopard in "The Snows of Kilimanjaro" to contrast certain characteristics in the main characters. To support this view, more evidence needed to be found. Analysis of the stories helped find examples of the use of feline symbolism where the lion or the leopard magnified the main characters' strengths and weaknesses. After reading many articles that delved into the significance and symbolization of lions, according to the researchers, regality, strength, and power are traits that lions possess. In "The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber," Hemingway describes the main character Francis Macomber as a spineless man controlled by his wife, indicating that he had neither power nor strength, unlike the lion in the story. Macomber changes for the
How does R. Gerallt Jones make us feel sorry for Johnny in 'The Letter'?
Sean Wozencroft 10J Anglo/Welsh Prose: The Letter How does R.Gerallt Jones make us feel sorry for Johnny in 'The Letter'? 'The Letter', by R. Gerallt Jones, is a story about a young Welsh boy who leaves his home in Pwllheli to go to a boarding school in England. As we follow Johnny's footsteps to Shrewsbury, we are witnesses of the bullying that he is subject to and the change in lifestyle for the homesick child. Johnny is the main character of the story and he infact is the narrator, guiding us through all the goings-on. From the very beginning of the short story we are aware that Johnny is a youngster who has not had much experience of being away from home. His age is not preciously stated at any time, but we get an impression of immaturity by studying his habits, likes, dislikes, attitudes and relationships. Firstly, Johnny constantly repeats the last words that his mother said to him before he departed for the train station, "Remember to write," Jones writes. This shows that Johnny is nervous about the change in his life and so he is thinking of his mum as a comfort. As he is yet to taste life outside of his mother's safe grasp, he wants to remember her as if she were still with him. The next indication of his age that we are given comes within the next couple of lines. Jones writes, "...to buy a Hotspur and the Sporting Record..." Johnny is wishing that he was
Uncovering the beauty and depth of such a simple man as Santiago in The Old Man and The Sea requires uncovering the personal experiences and integrity of Hemingway himself.
Houser ii Outline Thesis Statement: Uncovering the beauty and depth of such a simple man as Santiago in The Old Man and The Sea requires uncovering the personal experiences and integrity of Hemingway himself. I. Summarizing the story A. Characters B. Theme II. Comparing living A. Old Man . Work Habits 2. Relationships B. Hemingway . Work Habits 2. Relationships III. Comparing suffering A. Old Man B. Hemingway IV. Living and dying with integrity A. Old Man B. Hemingway Concluding Statement: The Old Man and The Sea directly reflected Hemingway's understanding of the value and quality of life through symbolizing his own life's experiences. Houser 1 Old Man: Santiago or Hemingway Two old men, one a poor fisherman, the other a wealthy writer, both are seemingly at opposite ends of society. Santiago, the poor fisherman with his simple life could not begin to imagine Hemingway's successful career as a writer. So how could a successful writer as Hemingway write a story about the life of a simple fisherman? Hemingway gave life to Santiago and when his book was published in 1952, it was an instant classic. Hemingway described the old fisherman's struggles, relationships, and beliefs with the passion of a poor man. The book is filled with the emotions and adventures of life. Uncovering the beauty and depth of such a simple man as Santiago in The Old Man and The
An Analysis of Ernest Hemmingway's Indian Camp
An Analysis of Ernest Hemmingway's Indian Camp Ernest Hemmingway's Indian Camp has varied degrees of ideas and issues. Each time I read the story or look at a specific passage, I understand it a bit differently. Keeping an open mind while reading helps to understand the story with many different assumptions or conclusions. The readers are left to assume and add their input to complete the story. The story never states that Nick, Nick's father or Uncle George are Caucasian. Nor does it say they are related. I believe the reader can assume this due to the use of "Uncle" with Georges' name. However, I personally have friends that are not blood relatives, yet they are considered family and called Aunt or Uncle so and so. Let's assume that all three of these characters are also Indians. Prehaps they come across the river because they belong to a separate tribe. Based on this assumption, the whole story changes. Uncle George calling the biting, laboring woman a "Damn Squaw *censored*!" maybe acceptable. The story doesn't say the guides objected to Uncle George's insult. Maybe it wasn't even an insult. I can relate this to today's society when one calls another Honkey. That's OK unless the person saying it is not Caucasian. Sipiora gives an analysis of "Indian Camp" (pp 31-34) yet this analysis is based on assumptions also. The complete story can only be assumed without knowing a
A Farewell To Arms Analysis. Throughout the novel A Farewell to Arms the main characters search for some type of tranquilizer to help them deal with the war.
A Farewell to Arms Throughout the novel A Farewell to Arms the main characters search for some type of tranquilizer to help them deal with the war. Each character is search of something that will make them feel better about the horrors of the war going on around them. Hemingway shows how the cruelest realities can permeate and destroy the illusions that the characters construct to alleviate their pains. The story takes place during World War I; which is a time full of disillusion, sadness and loneliness. The protagonist, also serving as the narrator, is Frederic Henry, an American ambulance driver serving in the Italian war. Frederic is a classic Hemingway male character. He is a man of stoic action with his own convictions of honor. In the beginning of the novel he displays these many attributes, but he eventually evolves in the course of the reading. He gives up his macho pretentiousness and womanizing ways in return for a life with Catherine. Catherine Barkley is an English nurse that Frederic falls madly in love with. Rinaldi, is a surgeon and also a friend of Henry's and finally there is the Priest, that becomes in some way a confidant to Frederic. The novel principally is a love story that describes the transformation of Frederic and Catherine's feelings of flirtatiousness to a deep enduring love. The war itself serves as an instrument for