“The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber” is a short story that has been deciphered in numerous ways. There are many different theories about the conclusion of this selection. For example, some critics believe that Margot Macomber and Robert Wilson came up with the evil scheme of murdering Francis Macomber. Other critics say that it was an accident and that Margot was trying to protect her husband from the charging water buffalo that was inches away from killing Francis. However, in the story Margot has a certain hatred towards her husband and has a bad reputation of an unfaithful wife. Given her characteristics of bitchery it is hard to believe that Margot would want to protect her husband. She also has a motive for committing such a heinous
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However, Wilson is not surprised by this action and begins to make certain comments suggesting that Margot shot Francis on purpose. Although there is no background information on Margot about whether she is a sharp shooter or not, Oliver’s selection, “The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber”, points out that many critics believe that the 6.5 Mannlicher had too much recoil for Margot to deliberately shoot her husband. Having said that, Oliver states that the “Mannlicher weighed only 6.5 pounds and had a ‘light recoil,’ according to early 20th-century African safari guides” (“The Short Happy Life”). This would make it fairly easy for Margot to shoot Francis. After the incident occurs, Wilson becomes just as suspicious as Margot. Oliver believes that “Wilson’s idea, by way of Shakespeare, has been argued as the central theme of the story. We owe God a death, and if we die this year we are ‘quit’ (‘free’ or ‘released’) from confronting it later” (“The Short Happy Life”). In other words Francis has taken a life and another life is owed to God. Hemingway also reveals that Wilson is willing to kill anything. In “The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber,” Margot asks Wilson, “You do kill anything, don’t you” and he responds with, “Oh anything” (Hemingway 9). Wilson had some shady methods for hunting and devising a plan for Margot to shoot Francis dead provides him with insurance that his personalized hunting style will be kept a secret. Oliver points out that “She will not be found guilty of murder, partly because Wilson will testify on her behalf” (“Margot”). It is a win-win situation for the both of
However, Wilson is not surprised by this action and begins to make certain comments suggesting that Margot shot Francis on purpose. Although there is no background information on Margot about whether she is a sharp shooter or not, Oliver’s selection, “The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber”, points out that many critics believe that the 6.5 Mannlicher had too much recoil for Margot to deliberately shoot her husband. Having said that, Oliver states that the “Mannlicher weighed only 6.5 pounds and had a ‘light recoil,’ according to early 20th-century African safari guides” (“The Short Happy Life”). This would make it fairly easy for Margot to shoot Francis. After the incident occurs, Wilson becomes just as suspicious as Margot. Oliver believes that “Wilson’s idea, by way of Shakespeare, has been argued as the central theme of the story. We owe God a death, and if we die this year we are ‘quit’ (‘free’ or ‘released’) from confronting it later” (“The Short Happy Life”). In other words Francis has taken a life and another life is owed to God. Hemingway also reveals that Wilson is willing to kill anything. In “The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber,” Margot asks Wilson, “You do kill anything, don’t you” and he responds with, “Oh anything” (Hemingway 9). Wilson had some shady methods for hunting and devising a plan for Margot to shoot Francis dead provides him with insurance that his personalized hunting style will be kept a secret. Oliver points out that “She will not be found guilty of murder, partly because Wilson will testify on her behalf” (“Margot”). It is a win-win situation for the both of