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
- Introduction
- Short biography of the author
- The Plot
- Exposition and summary of the story
- The structure of the story
- The main characters
- The technique and style of narration
- Symbols, pictures and motives
- A biographical approach to 'The Killers'
- Conclusion
- Bibliography
Objectives and Key Themes
The objective of this essay is to provide a comprehensive analysis of Ernest Hemingway's short story, "The Killers." It aims to explore the narrative structure, character development, stylistic choices, and potential biographical influences on the work. The analysis will avoid revealing major plot points or conclusions.
- Hemingway's stylistic choices and narrative techniques
- Character analysis and relationships within the story
- Exploration of symbolism and motifs
- Biographical connections between Hemingway's life and "The Killers"
- The story's reflection of the "Lost Generation" and post-war disillusionment
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory section sets the stage for the essay, introducing Ernest Hemingway as a prominent 20th-century writer and highlighting "The Killers" as a significant, albeit perhaps less well-known, piece of his work. It situates the story within the context of Hemingway's career and the literary movement of the "Lost Generation," characterized by post-war disillusionment and cynicism. The introduction outlines the essay's structure and approach, promising a biographical overview, plot summary, analysis of narrative techniques, symbolism, and a discussion of biographical parallels.
Short biography of the author: This chapter provides a concise biography of Ernest Hemingway, tracing his life from his upbringing in a middle-class, Protestant family in Oak Park, Illinois, to his experiences as a war correspondent and his literary success. It emphasizes his early exposure to nature, his career as a journalist shaping his writing style, his participation in World War I and the Spanish Civil War, his marriages, and his literary achievements. His literary output during the 1920s, reflecting the disillusionment of the "Lost Generation," is highlighted, as is his later life, including his Nobel Prize and his eventual suicide.
The Plot: This section delves into the narrative of "The Killers," encompassing both the exposition and the structure of the story. The exposition sets the scene, introducing the characters and the central conflict. The structural analysis examines how the narrative unfolds, focusing on the beginning, development, and resolution of the plot, without explicitly revealing the climax or the final outcome. The summary and structure are tightly interwoven to provide a complete analysis of the story's construction and narrative progression.
The main characters: This part of the essay focuses on an in-depth analysis of the key characters in "The Killers." It explores their individual personalities, motivations, and relationships with each other. It likely includes both direct and indirect characterization, examining how Hemingway reveals information about his characters through their actions, dialogue, and interactions with other characters. The analysis could include discussion on how the characters' relationships and dynamics contribute to the overall meaning of the story.
The technique and style of narration: This chapter analyzes Hemingway's narrative techniques in "The Killers," examining the point of view, the relationship between the narrator and the reader, and the overall style of narration. It likely explores elements such as Hemingway's signature minimalist style, use of dialogue, and the impact of the chosen narrative perspective on the reader's experience and interpretation. It may also explore how these choices contribute to the themes and meaning of the story.
Symbols, pictures and motives: This section focuses on the symbolic and thematic elements within "The Killers." It would examine recurring images, motifs, and symbols and analyze their significance in conveying the story's meaning. It would explore how these elements contribute to the overall impact and interpretation of the story, potentially connecting them to broader themes explored in other chapters. This discussion may link these symbolic elements to the author's life or other works, adding depth and enriching the interpretation.
A biographical approach to 'The Killers': This chapter explores potential connections between Hemingway's personal life and experiences and the themes and events depicted in "The Killers." This section will not reveal major plot spoilers but aims to explore how aspects of Hemingway's background may have influenced the narrative elements or character development in this particular short story.
Keywords
Ernest Hemingway, The Killers, Lost Generation, short story, narrative technique, character analysis, symbolism, post-war disillusionment, minimalist style, biographical influences.
FAQ: A Comprehensive Analysis of Ernest Hemingway's "The Killers"
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of a language analysis essay focusing on Ernest Hemingway's short story, "The Killers." It includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. The preview aims to offer a structured and professional overview of the essay's content without revealing major plot points.
What topics are covered in the essay?
The essay covers a range of topics related to "The Killers," including a short biography of Hemingway, a detailed plot summary and structural analysis, in-depth character analysis, exploration of Hemingway's narrative techniques and stylistic choices, analysis of symbolism and motifs, and an examination of potential biographical influences on the story. The essay also situates the story within the context of the "Lost Generation" and post-war disillusionment.
What are the key themes explored in the essay?
Key themes explored include Hemingway's stylistic choices and narrative techniques, character relationships and motivations, symbolism and motifs within the story, biographical connections between Hemingway's life and "The Killers," and the story's reflection of the "Lost Generation" and post-war disillusionment.
What is included in the chapter summaries?
The chapter summaries provide brief overviews of each section of the essay. They detail the content of the introduction (setting the stage and outlining the essay's approach), the author's biography (covering key life events and their impact on his writing), the plot summary (explaining the narrative structure without revealing the climax), character analysis (exploring personalities and motivations), analysis of narrative techniques and style, analysis of symbolism and motifs, a biographical approach to the story, and a conclusion.
What is the essay's approach to "The Killers"?
The essay adopts a multifaceted approach, combining literary analysis with biographical context. It analyzes the narrative structure, character development, stylistic choices, and symbolism while also exploring potential links between Hemingway's life experiences and the themes in "The Killers." The analysis is thorough yet avoids revealing major plot spoilers.
What keywords are associated with this essay?
Keywords associated with the essay include: Ernest Hemingway, The Killers, Lost Generation, short story, narrative technique, character analysis, symbolism, post-war disillusionment, minimalist style, and biographical influences.
What is the overall objective of the essay?
The overall objective is to provide a comprehensive and insightful analysis of Ernest Hemingway's "The Killers," exploring its narrative structure, character development, stylistic choices, and potential biographical influences, all while maintaining academic rigor and avoiding major plot spoilers.
Who is the intended audience for this essay?
The intended audience is likely academic, consisting of students, scholars, or researchers interested in Ernest Hemingway, 20th-century literature, or literary analysis. The preview suggests a focus on structured and professional analysis of themes and literary devices.
Where can I find the full essay?
The provided text is only a preview. The location of the full essay is not specified in this document.
- Citar trabajo
- Robert Mattes (Autor), 2002, Hemingway: The Killers. An Interpretation, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/46442
