Ernest Hemingway Nobel Laureate

Writing Style:  Critical Acclaim – Nobel Prize for Literature in 1954

Writing Style:  Journalistic – lean, simple, short sentences; hardly any adjectives, especially in dialog  Principle of the iceberg: 7/8 under for every 1/8 showing  Forces the reader to infer – to “read between the lines”  Also called “hard boiled” style

Writing Style:  Literary Techniques:  Flashback  Vivid Imagery  Unique Symbolism – modified archetypal symbolism to suit his purpose

Writing Style:  Unique Symbolism includes:  Light = warmth, security, order/balance  Wetness (bodies of water, rain, etc.) = evil, disaster, impending doom  Landscapes  Highlands = clear, clean, peaceful, orderly  Lowlands = evil, chaos, dirt

The Hemingway “Code”  A man can be destroyed but not necessarily defeated.  Man must face all life struggles with courage, intensity, honesty, and grace.  The reward is dignity.  Loss of hope and faith equals defeat.

The Hemingway “Code”  Concept of “nada” or “nothingness”  The outcome of life is death with no life after death.  The struggle is the only thing that matters.  Since we all “lose,” (death) the content of life is what matters.  The manner in which we face the struggle shows our character.

The Hemingway “Code”  Notable Characters: are all “manly men” who act “naturally” as nature intended  Bullfighters  Boxers (NOT stereotypical American type)  Soldiers  Hunters  Fishermen

Hemingway’s “Hero” Archetypes  Tutor: (Father, Mentor, Wise Man)  “Manly man” who teaches the “code”  Respects opponent (man vs. man, nature, himself)  Simple and confident  Expert at his trade  Always calm

Hemingway’s “Hero” Archetypes  Tyro (learner, novice, neophyte, student)  Student of the “code”  Confused  Wounded mentally/physically  Insomniac  Often resembles Hemingway  Fears “nada” / “nothingness”

Hemingway’s “Hero” Archetypes  Female Characters: Usually fairly uncomplicated stereotypes  Overly dominant shrew  Greedy  Unkind and unloving, esp. toward the Tyro  Sarcastic and opinionated  Promiscuous – enjoys “wounding” Tyro

Hemingway’s “Hero” Archetypes  Female Characters: Usually fairly uncomplicated stereotypes  Overly submissive “confection”  Desires to live a “lovely life”  Beautiful/desirable  Accommodating  May be in need of “rescuing”

Bibliography "A Farewell to Arms." SparkNotes Barnes and Noble. 10 Mar Crawfurd, Jacob. "Hemingway in Africa." The Crawfurd.dk Homepage Mar "Ernest Hemingway: The Nobel Prize in Literature 1954." Nobelprize.org The Nobel Foundation. 10 Mar "Farewell to Arms." Truveo Truveo, Inc.. 10 Mar Vega, David. "Understanding Hemingway's Style." authorStream. Oct South Western High School. 10 Mar 2009.