Analysis Of Harold Krebs In Soldier's Home

Harold Krebs was a man who looked death and destruction in the face without problem, but ultimately folded into depression upon his return to his home country. Most would assume that war would be much less comfortable than living at home, and to return would be a relief like no other. However, as 20th century writer Ernest Hemingway explores the psyche of Harold Krebs, it is revealed that war had become Krebs’ home and comfort. This comfort at war and the attitudes he returned to in America reveal the messages Hemingway hoped to convey to the American public regarding war. His message was especially relevant at his time, as the first World War was beginning. This political commentary is found in the story’s conflicts, and in a story such as

Often, soldiers are bunched into the focus group of people or things to oppose when opposing war. However, Hemingway never blames soldiers for the horrors of war, but rather the situations that surround the actions of the soldiers. Telling the story of “Soldier’s Home” from the perspective of Krebs helps to maintain this solidarity, as in the story, Krebs doesn’t purposefully victimize anyone, remaining a well-meaning and tragic character. Krebs is shown in his well-meaning ways in the conclusion of the story, as when he gives himself up to his depression, he continues to support his family the best he can. His actions are described as being carried out to emotionally console his family as “He had felt sorry for his mother and she had made him lie. He would go to Kansas City and get a job and she would feel all right about it.” and “He would go over to the schoolyard and watch Helen play indoor baseball” (Hemingway 913). Although Krebs isolates himself from those around him, he still cares for them and when he is given the choice between lying to avoid hurting his family and fully committing to his isolation as he wished he could, he chooses against hurting his family. Krebs is not portrayed as a spiteful man, but only as a victim of his circumstances. Another instance where Krebs shows positive traits is in his guilt after exaggerating his stories. Krebs’ feelings when distorting his memories into sensational stories are described as “The times so long back when he had done the one thing, the only thing for a man to do, easily and naturally, when he might have done something else, now lost their cool, valuable quality and then were lost themselves”. Here, it is evident that only is Krebs deeply affected by the idea of misleading people and giving into the pressure of sensationalism, he also believes his actions