Ernest Hemingway’s literature is often compared to an onion, with numerous layers of depth and complexity that require careful peeling back to appreciate fully. His stories are full of emotions and often provoke the reader to express them. Moreover, his texts reveal humanity’s dark side through literature. One can trace this particular feature of the author’s style to the example of his novels and the characteristic features of the heroes.
Symbolism is one of the distinctive features of Hemingway’s literature, revealing the multi-layeredness concept. For example, in “The Old Man and the Sea,” the sea is a physical setting and a metaphor for the vastness of life and the struggles one can face (Shahwan 91). Similarly, the bullfighting in “The Sun Also Rises” is not just a spectacle but also a symbol of the deeper issues of masculinity and power that pervade the novel (Yanar 164). Symbols are often used in literature, but Hemingway brought this artistic tool to perfection, making it a hallmark of his works.
Hemingway’s characters are also multilayered, often revealing their true nature only gradually throughout the story. In “A Farewell to Arms,” the protagonist, Frederic Henry, is initially presented as a typical Hemingway hero – tough, stoic, and emotionally distant (Li 350). However, as the novel progresses, we begin to see the cracks in Henry’s facade, and his personality’s vulnerable side is slowly revealed. Hemingway’s exploration of the darker side of humanity is perhaps the most strikingly complex aspect of his work. In “The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber,” the protagonist’s journey from cowardice to bravery is accompanied by a sense of brutality and violence that underscores the complexity of his character (Abrams 7). These novels delve deeply into the psychological effects of violence and the toll it takes on the human spirit.
Ultimately, Hemingway’s literature is like an onion in that it requires a willingness to delve beneath the surface and confront the darker aspects of the human experience. By peeling back the layers of his stories, readers can gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of the human psyche and how we are all shaped by the forces of history, culture, and society.
Works Cited
Abrams, Abigail. “Ernest Hemingway’s bonds through narrative styles.”, 2022. Web.
Li, Lihong. “Reading Henry of A Farewell to Arms.”, 2019. Web.
Shahwan, Saed J. “A lacanian study of Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea.” Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, vol. 10, no. 1, 2019, pp. 87-91. Web.
Yanar, Muhsin. “Inertia and identity confusion in Ernest Hemingway’s the sun also rises.” Journal of International Social Research, vol. 13, no. 71, 2020, pp. 162-168. Web.