Essay Sample on Hemingway: A New Value System for Surviving Disasters

Introduction

Hemingway became popular among Americans for developing fictional characters they could relate to. The characters believed in the "you only live once" narratives, and they could do the things that made them happy, including drinking. Hemingway looked to provide an alternative to the existing value system that didn't seem to help much in the wake of disasters such as World War I. A new value system was needed that involves resilience to help Americans survive such disasters because values revolving around Christianity didn't come in handy. The concept brought about by the novelist appealed to many Americans, and they seemed to like the idea that a person can embrace life and what it offers while not fearing death. That formed the basis for the Hemingway hero theory, also known as the "code hero." The novelist managed to apply the concept across all his novels. All of Hemingway's protagonists have the code hero's traits.

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Be Merry While Still Alive

One of the traits of Hemingway's characters who are living of up to the "code hero" theory include eating, being merry, and drinking because tomorrow is not promised. Majority of Americans fell in love with this trait of the characters in Hemingway's novels. (Hemingway 77). It was not only seen in characters but also reflected in the life of the novelist. Many characters in Hemingway works exhibited the trait which is part of the code hero theory. For example, Frederick Henry and two other characters in "A Farewell to Arms" sat down to enjoy their cheese, macaroni as well as a bottle of wine in the battlefield. The trait has also been demonstrated by protagonists, including Schatz in "A Day's Wait" and an old man in "A Clean Well-Lighted Place."

The trait above has been demonstrated by "A Day's Wait's" Schatz in the way he thinks, talks and works. Schatz is the main character in the story, and he has embraced the idea that he is going to die one day but still, he doesn't fear death. He does not take death as a worrisome end of a Hemingway code hero (Hemingway 84). He makes peace with the life he still holds and sleeps on his bed unbothered. On the other hand, the old man in "A Clean Well-Lighted Place" enjoys his drinking hobby, knowing that the privilege is only available while he is still alive.

Nothing Comes After Death

In the exact words from one of the novelist's work, "when you're dead, you're dead" (Hemingway 85). The concept of death has been demonstrated by various characters in the work of Hemingway. The concept implies that people can only reward themselves while they are still alive. The emphasis is placed on doing, obtaining, or performing rewarding things in this life before the unavoidable face of death shows. Therefore, Hemingway's protagonists have delved into the gratification of their sensual desires as well as enjoying the various types of pleasures to reward themselves.

The old man in "A Clean Well-Lighted Place" is in agony, but he chooses to have dignified suffering. He is unhappy, but still, he chooses to live his last days playing games, drinking, and fighting battles to live up to the hero code. He is in search of a lighter place to avoid loneliness because he recognizes that he can't afford to be lonely while still alive. He needs to reward himself. According to the theory, a man cannot afford to act in a manner that suggests cowardice (Hemingway 127). The old man avoided being seen as a frightened or trembling man.

Avoid Death at All Costs

Hemingway code hero stipulates that death is inevitable, and it brings all things to an end. In light of this, it is the obligation and duty of Hemingway heroes to avoid death at all costs. Life is enjoyable and everything. Therefore, anything that is done to extend it is very welcome, at least according to the theory (Hemingway 129). Characters confront death often in Hemingway's various novels, including "In Another Country." The idea of the 'grace under pressure' comes from this trait. Protagonists are supposed to fight and do all things possible to emerge winners. In other words, the Hemingway hero code requires protagonists to fear death while not being afraid to die.

In Hemingway's novel called "In Another Country," The Major and the narrator are both in hospital after being injured in the battlefield (Hemingway 132). Particularly, the narrator fought in World War I to become a Hemingway code hero, although it has not been directed stated so. He was never afraid of death, but he feared death. That is why he fought to not only win the fight but also safeguard his valuable life.

Conclusion

The Hemingway code hero has been seen in all the novels of Ernest Hemingway, including "A Clean Well-Lighted Place," "In Another Country," and "A Day's Wait." Some of the code hero traits that have caught the attention of many Americans include being merry while still alive, death is the end of everything, and death should be avoided at all costs. Hemingway's protagonists have exhibited those traits in their various roles.

Works Cited

Hemingway, Ernest. "A clean, well-lighted place." The short stories of Ernest Hemingway (1933): 379-83. Retrieved from http://www.writtenburgdoor.com/uploads/4/6/9/2/46921521/clean_well_lighted_by_hemingway_text_and_questions.pdf

Hemingway, Ernest. "A day's wait." The snows of Kilimanjaro and other stories (1933). Retrieved from http://www.svsd.net/cms/lib5/PA01001234/Centricity/Domain/696/a_days_wait.pdf