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Ernest Hemingway

THE NICK ADAMS STORIES

Sources:

http://www.engliterarium.com/2008/11/hemingways-hero-and-code-hero.html

https://www.cliffsnotes.com/literature/h/hemingways-short-stories/about-hemingways-short-stories

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Hemingway: The Author

  • Hemingway was not an “ivory tower elitist,” he was a man’s man in life and that’s what he projected in his male characters.
  • Nick, the main character of these stories, is pretty much Hemingway himself. Probably the most autobiographical character.
  • By setting up camp, fishing and cooking by himself, Nick is able to set up his own personal utopia, his escape from reality, his “good place.”

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The Hemingway Hero

  • Hemingway’s hero is an archetype or exemplar defined by a set of static characteristics.
  • He is:
        • Courageous
        • Confident
        • Outdoorsy
        • Romantic
        • Introspective
  • He does not:
        • Let his fears get the best of him.

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Nick Adams is a Hemingway Hero

  • Nick begins as a naïve young boy.
  • He progresses to the “Hero” or exemplar as his early life is revealed.

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The Nick Adams Stories are divided into five sections:

        • “Northern Woods”
        • “On His Own”
        • “War”
        • “Soldier Home”
        • Company of Two”

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Nick’s Progression Through the Stories

  • Apprentice: Naïve and Innocent
  • Exemplar: Wisdom, Experience and Emotionally Scarred from Experience
  • These stories are his movement from apprentice to exemplar of the Hemingway Hero.

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Apprentice:

Indian Camp

Exemplar

End of

Something

Experiences

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Hemingway’s Code Hero

  • Code means a set of rules and guidelines of conduct that his character must adhere to.
        • Honor
        • Courage
        • Endurance of life stress, misfortune and pain.
        • Can be violent and disorderly.
        • Acts honorably even if faced with losing a battle.
        • Shows grace under pressure.
        • An individualist and free-willed.
        • Never shows emotions
        • Commitment to women and show of emotions is a weakness.
        • Bravery, adventure and travel are strengths.

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The Hemingway Code Hero Enjoys

  • Lots of drinking!
  • Moving from one woman to the next.
  • Wild game hunting.
  • Fishing.
  • Camping.
  • Bullfights.
  • But he does all this with self-discipline.

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  • Anything that a “normal” American didn’t normally do.

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The Code Hero and Death

  • The hero measures himself by how well he handles difficult situations that life throws at him.
  • The Code Hero is MORTAL; He will die.
  • But it is all about how he faces death that is important.
  • He believes in the Spanish word “Nada,” which means “nothing.” There is no life after death.
  • Religion is wrong because it offers life after death.

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“Don’t let’s talk about it.”

  • The Hero, after an act of bravery, will not discuss it.
  • Talking is emotionalism, so it’s a weakness.
  • It’s the action that is important.
  • If you talk too much, you lose the importance of the act.
  • This is the same for love. Don’t talk about it!

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Hemingway Hero’s Friends

  • The HH is a person of skill.
  • The HH detests mediocre people.
  • There are enough people like the HH, so he won’t waste his time on an ordinary/mediocre person.
  • He feels intense loyalty for a small group of people.
  • He is totally devoted to his small circle.