Hemingway’s use of literary ambiguity in “The short Happy Life of Francis Macomber” has inspired arguments for centuries whether Margo Macomber had shot her husband deliberately. There are two clues to why she intended to shoot her husband. First of all, there is a clear metamorphosis in Francis Macomber’s character. His rediscovery of his manhood is realized at the end of the story, when his courage reawakening threatens their marriage. Margo Macomber fears that he will have the courage to finally leave her, shot her husband in cold blood. The second clue is presented through the eyes of Robert Wilson. Though having questionable moral standards, Wilson’s opinions of Francis and Margot decodes the mystery that Margot murdering of her husband
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“The great American boy-man,” describes Francis Macomber’s character as immaturely boyish who lacks manly courage. And this boyish character leads to his wife’s contempt, “Once he had reached over and taken his wife’s hand without looking at her and she had removed her hand from his. his wife had reached forward and put her hand on Wilson’s shoulder. He turned and she had leaned forward over the low seat and kissed him on the mouth.” Shrinking from her husband’s touch and turning to kiss another man on the mouth in front of her husband shows Margot’s disdain for her husband. Such audacity of publicly displaying her infidelity illustrates her psychological control over Francis. She knew it does not matter how many times she cheats on him, he would not dare leaving her. Her power over him is like that of the roar of the lion. It shakes him to the core. “When Francis Macomber woke in the night to hear it he was afraid.” And Margot’s power over Francis Macomber is further proven in a later scene when she returns from having a night of sex with Robert Wilson. “There wasn’t going to be any of that. You promised there wouldn’t be.” Francis’ remark shows that there has been infidelity before. At this point of the story, Margot’s grip …show more content…
Like many heroes, he is not without faults. He whips the natives. But he is sympathetic toward them. He knows that they would rather get a beating than lose the pay. So he whips them rather than fine them. Compared to Francis, he is the macho man, the very symbol of masculinity. He sleeps with his female clients, but refuses to gossip about any of his clients. He is a man with principles. He has a very traditional view of gender roles. “Well, why doesn’t he keep his wife where she belongs? What does he think I am, a bloody plaster saint? Let him keep her where she belongs. It’s his own fault.” In his opinion, women should be kept in their place, at home and be controlled, and be faithful and their husbands are their keepers. As Francis’ character changes in the story, Wilson’s opinions and feelings toward Francis change as well. “Wilson looked at him appraisingly. Damned if this isn’t a strange one, he thought. Yesterday he’s scared sick and today he’s a ruddy fire eater.” Wilson, being the manly man that he is, applauses this transformation of Francis’. “The great American boy-man… but he liked this Macomber now… probably meant the end of cuckoldry too. Well, that would be a damned good thing.” Wilson’s witnessing of Francis Macomber’s transformation and knowing Margot intimately, has given him first-hand knowledge of the shifting of power in the couple’s relationship. Without a doubt, he knows that Margot
“The great American boy-man,” describes Francis Macomber’s character as immaturely boyish who lacks manly courage. And this boyish character leads to his wife’s contempt, “Once he had reached over and taken his wife’s hand without looking at her and she had removed her hand from his. his wife had reached forward and put her hand on Wilson’s shoulder. He turned and she had leaned forward over the low seat and kissed him on the mouth.” Shrinking from her husband’s touch and turning to kiss another man on the mouth in front of her husband shows Margot’s disdain for her husband. Such audacity of publicly displaying her infidelity illustrates her psychological control over Francis. She knew it does not matter how many times she cheats on him, he would not dare leaving her. Her power over him is like that of the roar of the lion. It shakes him to the core. “When Francis Macomber woke in the night to hear it he was afraid.” And Margot’s power over Francis Macomber is further proven in a later scene when she returns from having a night of sex with Robert Wilson. “There wasn’t going to be any of that. You promised there wouldn’t be.” Francis’ remark shows that there has been infidelity before. At this point of the story, Margot’s grip …show more content…
Like many heroes, he is not without faults. He whips the natives. But he is sympathetic toward them. He knows that they would rather get a beating than lose the pay. So he whips them rather than fine them. Compared to Francis, he is the macho man, the very symbol of masculinity. He sleeps with his female clients, but refuses to gossip about any of his clients. He is a man with principles. He has a very traditional view of gender roles. “Well, why doesn’t he keep his wife where she belongs? What does he think I am, a bloody plaster saint? Let him keep her where she belongs. It’s his own fault.” In his opinion, women should be kept in their place, at home and be controlled, and be faithful and their husbands are their keepers. As Francis’ character changes in the story, Wilson’s opinions and feelings toward Francis change as well. “Wilson looked at him appraisingly. Damned if this isn’t a strange one, he thought. Yesterday he’s scared sick and today he’s a ruddy fire eater.” Wilson, being the manly man that he is, applauses this transformation of Francis’. “The great American boy-man… but he liked this Macomber now… probably meant the end of cuckoldry too. Well, that would be a damned good thing.” Wilson’s witnessing of Francis Macomber’s transformation and knowing Margot intimately, has given him first-hand knowledge of the shifting of power in the couple’s relationship. Without a doubt, he knows that Margot