21 pages • 42 minutes read
Ernest HemingwayA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Symbolism is when one object or image represents an abstract idea beyond its literal meaning. For example, the doors in the story function as literal doors but they often symbolize transition or boundaries. An open door might indicate an openness to communication or connection while a closed door might symbolize a character being closed off to an idea, person, or experience.
Hemingway’s concise use of language may seem as if it lacks description, but because it is so precise, his word choice becomes even more important. Hemingway believed that a good writer could omit details they were sure of, and the strength of the writing would convey those missing details to the reader with the same clarity as if the writer had written them directly. He wanted what was going on at the heart of the story to be omitted from the surface of the story and left to the reader to infer.
The story relies heavily on dialogue for presenting images and characterization. The characters’ dialogue is very natural and brief, written in a realistic manner that reflects natural conversation. Hemingway reveals the nature of his characters’ relationships as much through what they don’t say as what they do (see Iceberg Effect above).
By Ernest Hemingway
A Clean, Well-Lighted Place
A Clean, Well-Lighted Place
Ernest Hemingway
Across the River and into the Trees
Across the River and into the Trees
Ernest Hemingway
A Day's Wait
A Day's Wait
Ernest Hemingway
A Farewell to Arms
A Farewell to Arms
Ernest Hemingway
A Moveable Feast
A Moveable Feast
Ernest Hemingway
A Very Short Story
A Very Short Story
Ernest Hemingway
Big Two-Hearted River
Big Two-Hearted River
Ernest Hemingway
For Whom the Bell Tolls
For Whom the Bell Tolls
Ernest Hemingway
Green Hills of Africa
Green Hills of Africa
Ernest Hemingway
Hills Like White Elephants
Hills Like White Elephants
Ernest Hemingway
In Another Country
In Another Country
Ernest Hemingway
Indian Camp
Indian Camp
Ernest Hemingway
In Our Time
In Our Time
Ernest Hemingway
Old Man at the Bridge
Old Man at the Bridge
Ernest Hemingway
Soldier's Home
Soldier's Home
Ernest Hemingway
Solider's Home
Solider's Home
Ernest Hemingway
Ten Indians
Ten Indians
Ernest Hemingway
The Garden of Eden
The Garden of Eden
Ernest Hemingway
The Killers
The Killers
Ernest Hemingway
The Nick Adams Stories
The Nick Adams Stories
Ernest Hemingway