Iceberg Theory In Ernest Hemingway's A Canary For One

Within legendary author, Ernest Hemingway’s work, a concept called the Iceberg Theory is present. The Iceberg Theory is the concept that within a story, only twenty percent of the information is directly written, the rest is not given straight to the reader, but the meaning is there. Much like an iceberg, with the majority of it underwater. This theory is demonstrated effectively through Hemingway’s short stories.
Hemingway’s “A Canary for One” is a prime example of the use of his Iceberg Theory. The short-story is full of vivid descriptions with true meanings that may slip through the reader's mind during their first reading. As revealed at the end of the story, the woman and her husband are getting a divorce. Also stated, the American lady ruined her own daughter's relationship forcefully. Prior to the reveal of these events, they are foreshadowed through the description of the setting. The short-story …show more content…
This short story focuses on a man trying to convince his girlfriend to receive an unnamed operation, implied to be an abortion. Abortion is really the elephant in the room as the word itself is never mentioned. Through dialogue, the Iceberg Theory is also present. Casually, through conversation, the man uses the phrase “Cut it out”. This line has dual meanings as it was an appropriate reply during his conversation, it can also be a reference to abortion, “it” being the baby. Midway through the story, the girlfriend looks across a lively setting of a river, fields of grain, and mountains. However, lurking over this view is a cloud, casting its ominous shadow upon the field, slowing creeping across. The cloud represents the man and the cloud’s shadow represents the colossal decision of abortion towering over the girl. Though maybe a little more conspicuous than “A Canary for One” the Iceberg Theory exists in “Hills like White Elephants”