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How Does Hemingway Use Of Materialism In Men Without Women

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Hemingway used this line to end “A Canary for One,” making the whole short story not only iconic, but ironic. Throughout Men Without Women, readers can note that much happens off the page than on including the fact that Hemingway’s writing style can not only be confusing, but contradictory. Readers can deem this story confusing till they get to the end where it declares how the husband was the narrator the entire time. If someone were to read it again, it would make a little more sense. Each detail, whether it was the scenery, the characters, or materialistic aspects, are important in their own ways and are used in the form of symbolism. An important aspect of this short story is the mere fact that each and every form of symbolism is isolated, …show more content…

Hemingway elaborates the surroundings very effectively, including the scene inside the train as well as outside it. On the other hand, the train that the American lady and the couple are on, is symbolic in itself. The setting is the duration of the train ride to Paris. The beauty of the scenic views they pass are symbolic for the beauty in love, as seen by Hemingway’s explicit details of color and nature. Especially when they talk about love in Vevey. However, he makes sure he includes the disaster that could occur within the beauty of nature. For example, the narrator is telling readers to “look” at the “three train cars that had been in a wreck. They were splintered open and the roofs were sagged in” (122). The description shows how nothing in this world is perfect. The speed of the train is very fast, hence why the American lady keeps complaining about it, which could symbolize the fact that love can collide; just like the train wreck they sped past by. The acceleration of the train caused the American lady and the couple to just barely catch it; just like when love comes unexpected, it could also crash and burn, like the trainwreck. Also, the sight of the burning house in the beginning of the train ride, is highly suggestive of the destroyed happiness of the deaf, American lady’s daughter. This coincides with the shattered happiness of the deaf lady. Furthermore, this story was taken place post WWI. Even though Paris is burdened from the war, the couple are in an emotional warfare; hence the reason for divorce. Paris is the city of love, yet it is ironic that this couple is going to set up their separate

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