Hemingway: The Killers. An Interpretation

LIST OF CONTENTS:

I.  Introduction page  1

II.  Short biography of the author page 2  3

III.  The Plot:  

III.1.  Exposition and summary of the story page 4  6

III.2.  The structure of the story page 6  7

IV.  The main characters page 7  12

V.  The technique and style of narration page 12  13

VI.  Symbols, pictures and motives page 13  14

VII.  A biographical approach to The Killers page 14  16

VIII.  Conclusion page  16

IX.  Bibliography page  17

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I. Introduction:

II. Short biography of the author

Most of the story takes place within Henry’s lunchroom which is ran by a person called George. This lunchroom ( a former saloon ) is situated in the town Summit in the State of New Jersey, south of New York. As most of the the residents seem to know each other the town may be rather small. The town doesn’t seem to have a wide range of freetime-possibilities and restaurants, so most people come to Henry’s lunch room for dinner:

`What do you do here nights?`Al asked. `They eat the dinner,`his friend

said. `They all come here and eat the big dinner.` `That’s right,` George

said. (page 8, l. 22-25)

b) Characters:

The most important characters are the two killers Max and Al, George who runs the lunch counter and his friend, or at least good customer, Nick Adams. Then of course the person which is supposed to be killed and only appears at the very end of the short story: the Swede, Ole Andreson, a former heavy-weight prize- fighter who rests at Hirsch’s rooming- house for some days.

Less important characters are the black cook Sam, the Landlady Mrs. Bell who looks after Hirsch’s rooming- house and several customers who appear and disappear quickly in Henry’s lunch-room.

c) Time:

There are no precise dates of year in the text but according to following details the story can be placed within the first half of the 20 ^th century, i.e. the present time of the author:

First of all the clothing of the two killers Max and Al. Their silk mufflers, tight overcoats and gloves appear like remnants of a Western Movie. To George, they

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