Ernest Hemingway’s Writing Style Critic, Essay Example

The world of literary creation has long been considered as a form of art. The works of writers have been considered as art-works defined by the words that bind them and make them worthwhile as being recognized as distinct pieces that define history and human nature through time. This is why it is assumed that writers from different eras are able to realize the different concepts of development especially relating to matters that surround them. With the use of words, the writers are able to bring about a sense of realization to the world, to take note of what are happening around them and pass on their interpretations and ideas to the generations that come after them. It is with this approach that writers are able to provide their contribution to human history as they etch down in words the things that they believe in, the matters that they hope to pass on to their readers from one generation to another. Among the most notable authors of all time is Ernest Hemingway. His writing style and his approach to relating to his audience shall be given further attention in the discussion that follows.

What makes Ernest Hemingway unique in his own way is that of his very style of writing his thoughts and presenting his messages to his readers. Considerably, his capacity to bring about a better sense of realization among his readers allows him to become more effective as a writer. One of the most effective approaches used by Hemingway is the Iceberg Theory. Under this theory, Hemingway imposes that the real meaning of his written works would depend on how his readers would interpret his works. The iceberg theory is defined as the manner by which only the tip of the wholeness could actually be realized or seen by the observers, the larger part of the whole element is under the water, not completely obvious to the eyes; nevertheless, it is known that there is something more to the iceberg that whatever it is that is seen through the eyes.

Critics of Hemingway have different ideas as to how effective the Iceberg Theory is especially in sending out a distinct message that the readers ought to recognize regarding the selections that he has completed. Some say that he is simply aiming to confuse his readers through supposedly impressing them with his ways of playing with words and phrases that do not actually bring greater meaning especially on surface readers [individuals who are only able to see the value of the reading materials they engage in from the surface] (Edel, 170). This, according to his critics, often bring about a new sense of emotion, usually apart from the emotion that the selections aim to present to the readers. Some say that Hemingway loses the value of his written works because of such approach.

Nevertheless, it could be realized that some of his critics saw the real value of the Iceberg Theory as an artistic approach to writing. Relatively, the creation of meaning is important especially in determining the value of fiction stories. Among the fiction selections that Hemingway authored include ‘The Cat in the Rain’ and ‘Hills Like White Elephants’. It could be realized that these two very specific selections specifically utilize the assumption of meaning through symbolism and irony. These forms of speech are able to create a new picture apart from what the actual elements in the story intend to tell the readers.

Taking into account the different elements of symbolism utilized in the story of Hills Like White Elephants, it could be noticed that the communication between the two characters, the couple, was used evidently by Hemingway to help his readers understand the overall meaning of the selection itself. The exchange of words between the couple conversing about the elements they see around them provide a distinct direction as to what was being presented in the story. For instance, the title itself represents something else compared to what white elephants are. In particular Asian beliefs, white elephants symbolize the creation of life, the point of pregnancy among mothers. This symbolical aspect of the white elephant has been used effectively by Hemingway. However, he knows that not all of his readers would immediately get the meaning accordingly, hence he leads them into identifying the meaning of his work further through creating an exchange of discussion between the two characters in the narrative.

The woman, was seemingly looking through the future, as if noting that the hills looking like white elephants may be looking still, but their existence gives out a sense of undoubted change, something that could go beyond what is expected. Expressing fear and uncertainty, the woman looks at the hills as if they are huge enough to take on her life [this part showing how she views her pregnancy and the supposed unwanted occurrence that it has in her life as a young woman]. The man on the other hand shows less care to what the hills represent. He focuses more on elements that were obvious for him to see. This intends to point out that unlike the woman, he intends to see matters differently especially in relation to how he wants his life to stay as it is. The presentation of the message that the story intends to give value to shows how unwanted pregnancies are often treated by the people involved in them. Hemingway wanted his readers to think deeper that what is suggested within the surface of his narration. He wanted them to relate the story in their own experiences or on matters they know about. He wants them to see themselves in his narrative therefore allowing them to become a part of the story, giving them a chance to experience the dilemma that his characters are experiencing. He wants to help his readers see a much deeper meaning of his work.

On the other hand, his story Cat in the Rain depicts more of the social problems relating to gender disparity and the women being under the need to subject to their male counterparts. The rain represents the power of the society, something that causes everyone to succumb to its power; no one escapes the rain, and somehow, in this story, women are expected to subject themselves to the common thoughts of the society with regards who they ought to live in subjection to. The society, being patriarchal in nature, gives lesser attention to what the women can do and what they could contribute to developing better lives for themselves and the ones they love. At this point, the level of symbolism that Hemingway uses intend to challenge the idealisms and the opinions of the society with regards issues of gender inequality. Realizing the importance of rising to the challenge and developing a more defined pattern of understanding what is personally satisfying for women, Hemingway challenges his audience to think of how they view gender as a defining element to their being. To the women, he intends to raise the question of whether or not they are able to realize the best versions of themselves therefore creating a more workable process of determining what they want out of life and what they could give off as their contribution to a better pattern of living for the people surrounding them.

Both works of Hemingway represent his excellence in utilizing words to bring out the meaning out of plain situations that might seem rather ordinary to most individuals. The reason why he used the Iceberg theory in most of his works is the fact that he believes that every person has a different set of experiences, and it belongs to each individual who reads his work, to evaluate and interpret his works based on their own backgrounds. It is through this matter that he is able to recreate the real value of his written master pieces. The freedom he gives his readers when it comes to interpreting his works and giving meaning to each piece allows his audience to explore their own ways of understanding the different concepts that define life according to their own vision of the matter.

The critics of Hemingway had their own reasons as to why they thought the Iceberg theory was rather ineffective, while others think that such approach was the most effective one especially in creating meanings for the readers. Nevertheless, it could not be denied that it is because of these criticisms that the real value of Hemingway’s works are able to come out and be noticed accordingly as exceptional works of art that do not only suggest a meaning, but challenges the thinking of the public accordingly.

Through the use of semantic analysis, Hemingway’s works could be deciphered accordingly and given the meaning of higher value than what surfaces as the message of each piece of work. Practically, Hemingway’s did not want to impose his own thinking of matters in the society towards his readers, instead, he motivates them to create their own ways of thinking as they see each element of his work relate to them accordingly. His practical approach to utilizing the Iceberg theory proves to be an effective way of getting the attention of his readers and retaining their interest towards each work all through towards the ending of each selection. What is considered as seemingly baseless by some of Hemingway’s critics is valued as the primary element that makes his work worth reading and worth analyzing for many of his readers. These are the very elements that makes his writing more interesting and valuable especially in mimicking the actual situations, complications and controversies of the most common issues that humans have to deal with in life.

The study of semantics intend to show a deeper course of understanding the makeup of words and how they are set to relate to each other. It could be realized that somehow, it is through this approach that each reader is able to create a personal meaning based on how they understand the elements of the story relating to them and the experiences that they have gone through time. Most often than not, people are much able to realize the meaning of what they are reading when they are able to see themselves within the story. Considering how they are affected by the decisions of the characters, the conversations they share and the decisions they make, the readers are able to take on a whole new level of interpreting the works being presented to them. This is the very worth of writing that Hemingway wanted to attain in most of his narratives. Fiction-based as the stories are, it could be realized that the thoughts imposed by Hemingway in each work are all valid especially in creating a better picture of the issues in life that humans are in need of facing from one time towards another. This is why Hemingway’s works never go out of time.

Overall, the works of Hemingway are more than just the distinct presentation of what good fiction writing is about. It provides a clearer picture on what is understood as necessary for the creation of a better and more meaningful value for the readers that Hemingway wants to affect with his works. Through time, Hemingway’s works continues to attract the attention of many. Used in academic analysis works and are often used as reference to determining the most controversial issues that the society needs to face, Hemingway’s writings could indeed be considered to be among the best ones released during his time that relatively connects to the world of readers at present. Most likely, readers who are willing to read between the lines and to see a deeper value in symbolism than in direct representation of meaning are the ones to fully appreciate the works of Hemingway. With such control on how he uses his words as he directs his readers into thinking deeper into the context of his writing, Hemingway sets a whole new level of realizing what good writing is all about. Among his colleagues, his works have stood out perfectly because of the value they are noted for as the readers see the real worth of each fiction story he uses to deal with the most complex issues of human living.

Works Cited

Benson, Jackson. (1975). The Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway: Critical Essays. Durham: Duke UP.

Benson, Jackson. (1989). “Ernest Hemingway: The Life as Fiction and the Fiction as Life“. American Literature. Volume 61, issue 3. 354–358

Hemingway, Ernest. The Complete Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway. “Cat in the Rain” New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 129-131. 1987.

Hemingway, Ernest. The Complete Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway. “Hills Like White Elephants” New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 211-214. 1987.

Plimpton, George. “Ernest Hemingway, The Art of Fiction No. 21” May 1954. Print.

Weeks, Robert P. Ed. Hemingway: A Collection of Critical Essays. “The Art of Evasion” Engle wood Cliffs: Prentice Hall, 1963.

Edel, Leon. (1965). The American. The American Library.