Lost Connections: Hemingway’s Short Stories of Isolation and Disillusionment
The End of Something
Set in America, this story of a young couple’s breakup is linked to the imagery of a ruined ghost town. The abandonment of the town signifies the end of their relationship. With laconic dialogue and detailed descriptions of fishing and rowing, the story offers an indirect glimpse into Nick and Marjorie’s unspoken emotions. Nick appears to be the one who wants to break up, but Marjorie takes command, rowing away in a metaphorical departure from their relationship. The arrival of Bill at the end adds another layer of complexity to Nick’s emotional state. The ghost town, a place of ruin, symbolizes their relationship and creates a poignant mood.
Cat in the Rain
Hemingway sets a gloomy mood with rain and a dark atmosphere. An American couple is in Italy, seemingly without purpose, highlighting a sense of dislocation. The cat becomes a symbol of the wife’s longing for escape, intimacy, and a traditional maternal role. George’s condescending dismissal of his wife’s attempts at communication further emphasizes their disconnect. The war monument serves as a reminder of life before war and trauma, while the padrone offers a contrasting figure of paternal care. The wife’s lack of a name and the narrator’s ironic shift from “wife” to “girl” underscore her invisibility and infantilization. The story subtly reveals a masculine bias, highlighting the wife’s desire for a baby and traditional domesticity. The wife’s focus on the cat contrasts with the trauma of war experienced by the Italians, highlighting her obliviousness to their suffering.
Out of Season
An American couple’s fishing trip in Italy is prohibited due to the off-season, mirroring their strained relationship. The husband’s reluctance to confront the guide reflects a deeper conflict within the marriage. Critics suggest the story alludes to a potential unwanted pregnancy and explores themes of spiritual deadness, miscommunication, and cultural clashes. The fragmented narrative and altered order of events require the reader to infer the underlying tensions. The title’s irony extends to the couple’s simulated argument in Concordia, masking their ongoing quarrel.
A Very Short Story
Ironically titled, this story follows a soldier and Luz, whose love affair ends abruptly. He returns from WWI to a “Dear John” letter, while she contracts an STI. The story explores the psychological wounds of war and the disillusionment of love. The contrast between their initial romantic expectations and the stark reality of their separation creates a shocking effect. The modern elements of a soap assistant and taxicab highlight the casual encounter that leads to the soldier’s infection. The story’s ending is both dramatic and straightforward, leaving the reader with unanswered questions about the veteran’s internal state.
On the Quay at Smyrna
Set during the Greco-Turkish War, this story depicts the evacuation of refugees from Smyrna. Narrated from a detached perspective, the speaker recounts horrific anecdotes with unsettling indifference. The use of irony and repetition, such as “pleasant business,” underscores the speaker’s emotional detachment. The cryptic nature of the story and the shifting narrative voice create a sense of dislocation and confusion. The reader is left to piece together the horrors of war through the speaker’s fragmented memories.
Soldier’s Home
Krebs, a war veteran, returns home disoriented and psychologically wounded. His family’s expectations of a conventional life clash with his changed perspective. He is tired of recounting sensationalized war stories and finds solace in inactivity. The story explores themes of postwar depression, emotional detachment, and the disconnect between Krebs and his family. The irony of the title highlights Krebs’s inability to find peace or belonging at home.
The Revolutionist
Set in Italy in 1919, this story contrasts a young, optimistic Hungarian communist with an older, more realistic narrator. The young man’s eagerness for revolution is juxtaposed with the narrator’s skepticism. The differing interpretations of Mantgna’s paintings symbolize their contrasting worldviews. The unexpected ending, with the young man imprisoned, underscores the futility of his revolutionary ideals.