Ernest Miller Hemingway – a short story writer, novelist, deep-sea fisher, soldier, hunter and reporter- and one of the most important writers of the 20th century. Well known for his books like e.g. A Farewell To Arms, To Have and Have Not, For Whom the Bell Tolls, The Snows of Kilimanjaro, Across the River and into the Trees and especially the novelette: The Old Man and The Sea.
I would like to present here another, maybe less popular but in no case less interesting short story of Ernest Hemingway: The Killers. `The Killers` was published in 1927 as a part of the short story collection `Men without women`. When releasing `The Killers`, Hemingway was already known as one of the most important representatives of the so-called`lost-generation` (one year before Ernest Hemingway made his name with the novel `The Sun Also Rises` which catches the post-war mood of disillusion). This generation of North-American authors of the 1920s participated as soldiers or, like Hemingway did, as volunteers with the ambulance in World War I and returned home: frustrated, cynical and self-confidently indifferent towards life. In the following essay I would like to give a short summary of Hemingway’s
biography first. This is followed by an exposition ( i.e. setting, time, main characters)and a brief outline of the story. The next focus will be on the structure of the story: How it starts, how it develops and how it ends. Then I continue with the characterization of the main characters ( the direct or indirect characterization and the relationships between the characters ).
After this, I examine the technique ( the point of view, relationship between narrator and reader ) and the style of narration .
Symbols, motives and pictures will be dealt with in the last but one part of my essay. Finally, I would like to focus on possible parallels between ‚The Killers‘ and Ernest Hemingway’s biographical or personal background respectively.
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. Short biography of the author
III. The Plot:
III.1. Exposition and summary of the story
III.2. The structure of the story
IV. The main characters
V. The technique and style of narration
VI. Symbols, pictures and motives
VII. A biographical approach to `The Killers`
VIII. Conclusion
Research Objective and Core Themes
This essay aims to provide a comprehensive literary analysis of Ernest Hemingway's short story "The Killers," exploring its narrative structure, character development, and symbolic depth while examining potential parallels between the text and the author's personal experiences within the "lost generation."
- Biographical context of Ernest Hemingway and its influence on his writing.
- Structural analysis of the short story’s exposition, tension, and indefinite resolution.
- Characterization of the protagonists and their varied responses to existential threats.
- Stylistic examination of Hemingway’s signature "report-style" and minimalist narration.
- Symbolic interpretation of recurring motifs such as time, setting, and power dynamics.
Excerpt from the Book
V. The technique and style of narration
If we focus on the point of view in which `The Killers` is narrated we quickly see that Hemingway uses the 3rd person perspective. There is no lyrical I which participates or influences the happenings or the course of the story. Hemingway even avoids any moral judgement by simply reporting precisely the course of events. The use of characterizing adjectives or adverbs is very restricted. The different characters speak for themselves by their actions and behaviour. Therefore the relationship between the narrator and his audience is a rather distanced , reserved or cool one. The narrator does not intend to move the audience with the help of big emotions or pictures. He avoids to evoke sympathy for or identification with the characters.
On the contrary, by the renunciation of those means he achieves an even colder and harder atmosphere which reflects the mood of disillusion, despair, hopelesness and futlity.
This so-called `report-style` (which he acquired during his time as a reporter at the Kansas City Star) is rather typical for Hemingway’s short stories, novels and other texts in general.
Summary of Chapters
I. Introduction: Outlines the biographical relevance of the author and establishes the scope of the analysis regarding the structure, style, and themes of the story.
II. Short biography of the author: Details Hemingway’s life, including his upbringing, war experiences, and transition into becoming a prominent member of the "lost generation."
III. The Plot: Provides a summary of the events occurring in Henry’s lunchroom and discusses the story's overall narrative structure.
IV. The main characters: Analyzes the roles and behaviors of the killers, George, Nick, and the victim, Ole Andreson, within the story.
V. The technique and style of narration: Examines Hemingway’s third-person perspective and his minimalist "report-style" narrative approach.
VI. Symbols, pictures and motives: Interprets symbolic elements like the clock, the season, and the shotgun as reflections of the characters' fates and existential themes.
VII. A biographical approach to `The Killers`: Explores the connection between Hemingway’s war trauma and the pervasive sense of hopelessness found in his short stories.
VIII. Conclusion: Summarizes how the story serves as a representation of post-war disillusionment and reflects the author's own psychological struggles.
Keywords
Ernest Hemingway, The Killers, lost generation, short story, literary analysis, narrative structure, report-style, characterization, symbolism, post-war, disillusionment, Ole Andreson, existentialism, biography, narration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this academic paper?
This paper focuses on a structural and biographical analysis of Ernest Hemingway's short story "The Killers," emphasizing its narrative technique and its connection to the author's life.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The study covers the author's biography, the plot progression, character dynamics, literary symbolism, and the specific narrative style associated with the "lost generation."
What is the primary objective of the author?
The objective is to analyze how the story's "report-style" and character interactions embody the mood of post-war disillusionment and individual isolation.
Which methodology is employed in the analysis?
The essay uses a combination of descriptive analysis of plot structure and characterization alongside a biographical approach, comparing the text to Hemingway’s real-life experiences.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body examines the setting, the characterization of the killers and their victims, the symbolic significance of everyday objects, and the specific narrative techniques used to create a "cool" and distant atmosphere.
Which keywords define this work?
Key terms include "lost generation," "report-style," "disillusionment," "existentialism," and "Hemingway."
How does the author interpret the symbol of the clock?
The clock, which is twenty minutes fast, is interpreted as a symbol for the characters' confusion and the impending, inevitable fate of the victim, Ole Andreson.
Why does the author consider the story’s ending unsatisfactory?
The ending is viewed as indefinite because the expected climax, such as a confrontation or the death of the victim, never actually occurs, leaving the reader with a sense of hopelessness.
What role does Nick Adams play in the narrative?
Nick Adams acts as a counterpart to George; he is described as more sensitive and acts as the bridge to the victim, ultimately deciding to leave town due to the futility of the situation.
What connection is drawn between Hemingway’s war experience and the characters?
The paper suggests that the despair and futility felt by characters like Ole Andreson reflect Hemingway's own psychological distress following his experiences in World War I.
- Quote paper
- Robert Mattes (Author), 2002, Hemingway: The Killers. An Interpretation, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/46442
