“The Snows of Kilimanjaro” and “The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber," published in 1936, are considered to be two of Hemingway’s best short stories. Both are set in Africa, one of Hemingway’s favorite hunting spots. Francis Macomber, on a Safari, is trying to overcome his cowardly nature through shooting. Harry, a tortured writer, bemoans his laziness and loss of opportunity on a failed hike of Kilimanjaro. Both men end up dying in their respective stories. In “The Snows of Kilimanjaro” and “The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber” Hemingway writes about two men who meet their true potential only when they are closest to death. Harry in “The Snows of Kilimanjaro” becomes a man worth revering through his storytelling before his death.
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He is a wealthy man, “very tall, very well built (4),” but he ran away from a wounded lion during his hunt. Robert Wilson, the safari guide, is a man who lives separate from society; he sees no meaning to Macomber’s wealth or physical appearance since he is not able to be a true man when hunting. He guiltlessly sleeps with the man’s wife, even. However, the morning after the failed lion hunt marks a change in Macomber. Wilson takes Macomber and his wife buffalo shooting, where Macomber successfully kills several buffalo and becomes afire with a new spirit. Macomber tells his company,“Something happened in me after we first saw the buff and started after him. Like a dam bursting. It was pure excitement (32).” Taking down the buffalo, an African animal that is large and angry, gives Macomber his manliness and prowess. Even Wilson is impressed by Macomber’s new bravery, thinking, “probably meant the end of cuckoldry too.Well, that would be a damned good thing. Damned good thing. Beggar had probably been afraid all his life (33).” Wilson facilitates Macomb’s new confidence with the buffalo shooting and is pleased to see another man “come of age” in the
He is a wealthy man, “very tall, very well built (4),” but he ran away from a wounded lion during his hunt. Robert Wilson, the safari guide, is a man who lives separate from society; he sees no meaning to Macomber’s wealth or physical appearance since he is not able to be a true man when hunting. He guiltlessly sleeps with the man’s wife, even. However, the morning after the failed lion hunt marks a change in Macomber. Wilson takes Macomber and his wife buffalo shooting, where Macomber successfully kills several buffalo and becomes afire with a new spirit. Macomber tells his company,“Something happened in me after we first saw the buff and started after him. Like a dam bursting. It was pure excitement (32).” Taking down the buffalo, an African animal that is large and angry, gives Macomber his manliness and prowess. Even Wilson is impressed by Macomber’s new bravery, thinking, “probably meant the end of cuckoldry too.Well, that would be a damned good thing. Damned good thing. Beggar had probably been afraid all his life (33).” Wilson facilitates Macomb’s new confidence with the buffalo shooting and is pleased to see another man “come of age” in the