The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber Group at eNotes

Wilson is, of course, referring to the protagonist, Francis Macomber. ...

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 06:13:45 PST

Wilson is, of course, referring to the protagonist, Francis Macomber. Wilson is observing how Francis is being bullied and manipulated by his wife, Margot. Francis, a rich American traveling abroad, is weak and fearful. This is why he refers to Francis as a child.The story really is Francis' coming of age. He has never really lived like a man before. For a brief time, at least, in the story, Macomber is able to conquer his fear and...

Wilson says that some people are little boys forever and they never...

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 23:06:35 PST

Please give exact statements that Wilson offers.

It relates most directly to Francis. He has lived most of his life as...

Fri, 16 Nov 2007 16:55:52 PST

It relates most directly to Francis. He has lived most of his life as a coward. He might be rich, but he never knew bravado and fearlessness like Wilson. This is one reason it is revealed that Margot had cheated on him in the past. After fleeing from the lion and Margot's subsequent affair with Wilson, he begins to hate Wilson so much that he conquers his fear. When they are hunting the buffalo the following day, Francis is totally...

how does the title relate to each of the characters?

Fri, 16 Nov 2007 15:16:31 PST

how does the title relate to each of the characters?

Robert Wilson appears to be the ideal Hemingway male - masculine,...

Wed, 3 Oct 2007 08:50:01 PST

Robert Wilson appears to be the ideal Hemingway male - masculine, strong, unemotional, coveted by women, and, above all, fearless. Yet notice as the story progresses that he is not really all we are led to believe. Remember, he is hired by Francis and his wife, so he is really at their service. Plus, there is that quote about him traveling with the rich and fast type of high society people, whose wives don\'t feel like they have gotten...

Well, no character has just a single characteristic, but if I had to...

Wed, 3 Oct 2007 06:53:15 PST

Well, no character has just a single characteristic, but if I had to name just one, in Hemingway's world, Wilson is masculine. He is a hunter, he's confident, he's calm, he's assertive, and all of those describe him (though technically "hunter" is not an adjective).If you'd accepted other terms based on his emotional tone, he is cool, judgmental, and opportunistic. Finally, he is flexible/adaptable: he can change to meet the needs of...

What are some of the characteristics of Robert Wilson from the story...

Wed, 3 Oct 2007 04:29:56 PST

Well, it is an intentionally obscure reference, but the Dictionary of...

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 17:32:05 PST

Well, it is an intentionally obscure reference, but the Dictionary of Sex says that it is a discreet but insulting way to refer to a male homosexual (h-o-m-o are the four letters). One academic argues that it is "the c word" (female genitals--trying not to be crude here). Either would fit, given Hemingway's hypermasculinity, but I prefer the first answer.

"So he's a bloody four-letter man as well as a bloody coward, he...

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 16:26:53 PST

"So he's a bloody four-letter man as well as a bloody coward, he thought." What is the four-letter word Hemingway means in that quote?

A fine question. Yes, I definitely think there is a relation between the...

Thu, 10 May 2007 11:21:58 PST

A fine question. Yes, I definitely think there is a relation between the two. The lion is wounded and in pain, and everyone knows it. It tries to hide its pain, but can't. It comes out all the time, even when it isn't strictly seen. It also ended up where it did due to some fumbling. The same is true for the couple. Their marriage is wounded, due in part to fumbling, and, while they try to keep up a good front, they are always crying out in...

Do you think there is any symbolism in the lion that was roaring in the...

Thu, 10 May 2007 09:33:14 PST

Everything in a short story is there for a reason. Could it be that there is also symbolism in the story related to the lion and dying couple?

Though your question is vague, the most common question about Heminway's...

Thu, 26 Apr 2007 11:48:00 PST

Though your question is vague, the most common question about Heminway's story is how does Macomber change. The answer is quite simple: he becomes the ideal Hemingway male. That is he develops pride, strength, and machismo. He is no longer the coward who was easily bullied and manipulated by Margot. Once Wilson sleeps with his wife, Macomber's hatred begins to awaken in him the desire to finally take control of his life. Just contrast how...

This answer is based on your email response asking you to clarify your...

Mon, 23 Apr 2007 18:42:47 PST

This answer is based on your email response asking you to clarify your question. You responded, "How does the character of Francis Macomber change from beginning to end?" In the beginning of the story, we discover that Macomber has a lot of guilt about running away from an encounter with a lion. His male pride is wounded and the wound is kept open by his wife, Margot, who often brings up the incident sarcastically. She makes it clear that...

What does Macomber…what? What does he do? In the story itself, he...

Mon, 23 Apr 2007 17:41:39 PST

What does Macomber…what? What does he do? In the story itself, he tries to shoot a lion on safari, panics, and then tries to make it up by standing his ground and shooting a buffalo. However, just before he can shoot, he's shot down by his wife (who claims it was an accident).

What does the Macomber in "The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber?"

Mon, 23 Apr 2007 13:32:28 PST

What does the Macomber in "The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber?"