The Short Story and Its Writer, Essay Example

Authors are guided by the elements of fiction in the process of story development. These elements include plot, character, point of view, voice and style, setting, and theme. Plot refers to the sequence of happenings and their relationship to one another. Character refers to the cast used in the development of the story and are categorized as either protagonist or antagonist. Protagonist is the central character around whom the story revolves; while antagonist represents the negative reactive force against which the protagonist faces. Dynamic characters continually change as the story unfolds due to significant things happening to them while static characters do not change. In a way, short stories revolve on the idea of putting up the connection between cause-and-result approach of narrative; the reason for adapting this common course of thinking is the fact that “to the casual reader, causation seems to result only from the writers organization of the events into a chronological sequence” (Charters, 1003) however, the reality is that the concept of causation is usually taken into account more effective based on the personal interpretation of the readers towards the selection being read.

The problem with the story “The End of Something” is that Ernest Hemingway is seen to place the masculine roles on the female character, Marjorie. The author represents the woman as a being who is steadfast in her decisions and has more composure than the man.  For instance, the story notes Marjorie’s character to be somewhat inclined to matters that are most likely connected to males. The line reads: “She was intent on the rod all the time they trolled, even when she talked” (Scribner-Hemingway, 80). The male character, Nick, is seen to inhabit feminine traits such as being overwhelmed by emotions. This approach to the creation of his characters specifically invoke the desire of the writer to establish what is meant by the concept of conflict. In this case, Hemingway approaches such conflict through his characters. The plot of a short story usually involves a conflict or struggle between opposing forces (Charles, 1004). Hemingway, therefore, has misrepresented characterization in his story development and his readers are made to shift the usual mentality that men are supposed to be in control of their emotions.

The story is introduced in the town of Horton bay which has broken down due to the collapse of the mill by the lake. The mills collapsed because the logs used to make lumber had finished in the bay and the only existing thing was white limestone foundation. This collapse of the town signifies the importance of the title since it is an end of something. Nick and Marjorie are seen rowing a small boat in their quest to fish. Marjorie is seen to row the boat in equal measure as Nick. Nick is frustrated about the fishing but Marjorie is composed not showing any signs of frustration. She notices that Nick is not okay and enquires on what is bothering him. Nick is adamant in his refusal to share his cause of discomfort and through this he shows that he emotionally immature.

Marjorie seeks to help Nick in his predicament through her enquiry into the problem and she shows composure even as Nick refuses to share his thoughts. Once Nick makes his feelings about their relationship known, Marjorie handles the news calmly and she opts to leave using the boat. She decides to avoid a confrontation with Nick, who is seen to be overwhelmed by emotions. She turns down Nick’s offer to push the boat into the lake claiming that she is capable of doing it. Through this, she manifests the sense of independence in her and reveals that she has the strength to do what Nick can do.

Ernest Hemingway seeks to empower his women characters by placing masculine traits in them. In this story, Hemingway brings out Nick as emotionally immature to create a setting to enable Marjorie display a character of excellent mastery of emotion, a trait which is considered manly by many people. This fact has been brought about by the conversation where Nick says: “You do. You know everything. That’s the trouble. You know you do” (Scribner-Hemingway, 81).  When Nick realizes that Marjorie’s fish is good, he attempts to show her how to cut the fish for the fear of being out-performed by her. Hemingway gives Marjorie as much strength as Nick during the fishing, as she is seen rowing the boat with the fishing line in her mouth. She displays expertise in fishing as she is able to row the boat without disturbing the line. Expertise, toughness, and experience in fishing, are attributes associated with the male world and their presence in Marjorie threatens the role of Nick as a man.

Nick’s inability to match the traits of Marjorie causes him to lose composure and in the process he displays emotional immaturity. His refusal to share his feelings with Marjorie shows that he is unable to express himself, creating a breakdown in communication which is vital in a relationship. Emotional surges are associated with women in which they are unable to control their reactions to various situations. Nick decides to end their relationship in the midst of the emotional turmoil, and at this point more masculine traits are seen in Marjorie. She decides to leave Nick alone instead of confronting him. On her way to the boat, she proves that she is strong enough to push the boat into the lake by turning down Nick’s voluntary help. Hemingway shows that women possess both mental and physical strength to deal with situations that confront them. Marjorie is able to compose herself and leave after the end of the relationship.

Hemingway has interchanged the gender expectations of the character between Nick and Marjorie. Nick shows feminine qualities while Marjorie shows masculine traits. This is an attempt by Hemingway to empower women readers through this story. However, the male readers will be left in confusion, wondering what his intent was by displaying Nick with emotional instability. Tradition dictates that men should be in control of their emotions, trying their best to hide their vulnerability. Therefore, Hemingway’s story is seen to have carried out an assassination on the male character.

Authors should try their best to develop characters that represent the real situations in the society in their attempt to promote empowerment. An audience that is misrepresented in a publication may create a negative attitude towards an author’s works. In Hemingway’s case, the male gender may avoid his works due to his inclination towards favoring female characters.

References

Charters, A. The Short Story and its Writer: An Introduction to Short Fiction. Bedford, St. Martins. 2003.

Scribner, C. Ernest Hemingway’s The End of Something. Macmillan Publishing Company.