Analysis Of Now I Lay Me By Ernest Hemingway

The word "iceberg" is most likely a Dutch term "ijsberg," which translates to ice mountain; only one-eighth of the mass can be seen above the surface of the water ("Iceberg Facts"). Iceberg also refers to a theory/style of writing in which the vast majority of the story is not read in black in white but inferred and hidden throughout the writing. Ernest Hemingway was famous for the style, and it can be seen throughout, “Now I Lay Me” a short story about a religious man during The Great War who refuses to fall asleep for fear of death and the dark. At least that is the surface version of the story. However, like the iceberg, the remaining seven-eighths of “Now I Lay Me” is below the surface forming a deeper perspective which leads the reader …show more content…
Hemingway wanted to engage the reader, leaving most of the story (below the surface) to the imagination of the reader. Hemingway did not believe a writer would be worthy of the term if everything about the story were known or if the writer couldn’t answer every possible question for his reader. The iceberg theory (the theory of omission) is a very challenging way for writing to be presented. However, it forces the reader to settle into the story right next to the characters. The reader becomes better involved, in the words, and the story presents a much more profound meaning through the use of the …show more content…
In “Now I Lay Me,” like most of Ernest Hemingway’s writings, there is no way to keep the main character at arm’s length. All writers leave a piece of their soul within their writings. Hemingway was not elaborate on wording or excessive with emotion. Hemingway wrote very direct and very deeply. Though, the depth can only be seen if the reader wants to see and feel it. “Now I Lay Me” is a prime example, not only as the story plot but also how Hemingway sews himself within the words. Hemingway leaves just enough story seen above the surface that the serious reader/critic will dive below the surface and immerse themselves in the story. Hemingway hides so much of the story below the surface, as he hides himself; coping with life, death, and war only through his writings. Hemmingway dealt with the unspeakable atrocities of war the only way he knew how to, through the characters in his writing; until his demons drove him to commit suicide. Hemingway was much like his characters and his, very effective, iceberg technique- seven eights not