Ernest Hemingway was one of the most influential authors of the twentieth century. Endemic to his writing is the concept of the “Hemingway Hero,” a rugged individual exemplifying Hemingway's ideals of masculinity, self reliance, and fearlessness. The stories, “The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber” and The Old Man and the Sea demonstrate the development of Hemingway’s hero character construct.
In “The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber” Robert Wilson is the personification of Hemingway's hero character construct. Wilson exhibits all of the traits associated with Hemingway hero, as a tough, masculine big game hunter. Wilson is described as a fearless, emotionally stoic individual who attempts to live life to its fullest by fulfilling his physical desires, even if that means sleeping with his clients’ wives. When he is confronted with difficulty Wilson remains composed, even when facing a charging lion (Hemingway, “The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber” 27) However, while Wilson
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Santiago, the story’s namesake, is an old fisherman feeling the effects of his age. However, Santiago still embodies the Hemingway code hero. Santiago understands that he is not as young as he once was, but he does all what he can to avoid death. Hemingway writes that Santiago “drank a cup of shark liver oil each day from the big drum in the shack where many of the fishermen kept their gear … Most fishermen hated the taste. But it was no worse than getting up at the hours that they rose and it was very good against all colds and grippes and it was good for the eyes” (Hemingway, The Old Man and the Sea 9). Santiago also acts courageous under pressure, fighting off the sharks that come to feed on his catch, and never gives up despite suffering from bad luck. Throughout the story, Santiago shows no signs of self doubt or pessimism, instead continuing to stand his ground in the face of