[Prof. Masiello]

A short story by Ernest Hemingway, called “The Short, Happy Life of Francis Macomber”

https://learning.hccs.edu/faculty/selena.anderson/engl2328/readings/the-short-happy-life-of-francis-maccomber-by-ernest-hemingway

(there is an audiobook version, read to you

[32] The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber – YouTube but you are better off reading it.)

Q a) Notice that the story is out of sequence. Rather than go in chronological order, it starts in the middle, goes back to the beginning, and then ends at the end.

Q b) Why do you think Hemingway chose to do this?

Q c) Who are the three main characters? (Note: Francis is a male name. Frances is a female name.)

Q d) Whom do you think the author wants us to like or dislike?

d) Notice how many things are said about Margot / Margaret: she is openly cheating on her husband and has no remorse. He writes,

“She was an extremely handsome and well-kept woman of the beauty and social position which had, five years before, commanded five thousand dollars as the price of endorsing, with photographs, a beauty product which she had never used. She had been married to Francis Macomber for eleven years.”
We would consider her a “trophy wife,” which wealthy men often have. Think of all the music performers and athletes with model wives.
However, when we see an ad does it make a difference to us if we know (or care) if the model actually uses the product?

Q e) Then, what does it say about her integrity to mention she got paid to endorse something she did not use?

f) This couple does not seem to love one another, yet they stay together.

Q f) What is the attraction, what “power” does each have over the other?

g) At the end, Margot deliberately shoots Francis dead.

Q g) Why does she shoot him then, rather than any other time?

Q h) What was happening to make his life short and happy? If you look carefully, there are two scenes in which we get the POV of the lion.

This is a remarkable point of view example: we see up close how the lion is breathing and thinking. It uses limited vocabulary – because it is a lion.

Here is one of the scenes: “The lion still stood looking majestically and coolly toward this object [the lion is seeing the Jeep and doesn’t know the word for it] that his eyes only showed in silhouette, bulking like some super rhino. There was no man smell carried toward his and he watched the object, moving his great head a little from side to side. Then watching the object, not afraid, but hesitating before going down the bank to drink with such a thing opposite him, he saw a man figure detach itself from it and he turned his heavy head and swung away toward the cover for the trees.”

i) It seems Ernest Hemingway has more respect for the lion than the woman.

Q i) In a movie, the camera would show you what the lion is seeing and maybe the sound of his breathing would be heightened. Did you sense something unusual in the two lion’s POV (point of view) scenes, in their wording or did you not even notice it?

[Juan B]

a) Hemingway’s choice to structure the story from the middle, beginning, and end further enhances the narrative tension. Due to the fact that readers would be surprised to see the new structure, they would want to see the end of the story to see why the story was structured that way.
b) It might be this way to demonstrate to the reader that they might have to piece the stories themselves, similar to memories
c)The 3 main characters are Francis Macomber, Margot Macomber, and Robert Wilson.
d) The author doesn’t say who specifically, but he uses the story to make the reader choose between the couple
e) It shows that Margot has a lack of integrity, since people who have integrity wouldn’t do something like that.
f) The attraction between Francis and Margot seems to be about social status and power dynamics rather than actual love. Francis most likely is attracted to Margot’s beauty and social standing, while Margot may be in love with Francis for his wealth and the security he provides.
g)Margot’s decision to shoot Francis at the end of the story is the combination of their relationship problems and how she felt betrayed at the end.
h) What was happening was that Francis experienced a slight glimpse of freedom before his death.
i)I didn’t notice it at first, but looking back at it there is definitely a meaning behind that narrative choice.

[Osman]

Q a) Hemingway starts in the middle to grab our attention, then goes back to explain how things got to that point. This structure makes the story more intriguing and impactful as it unfolds.

Q b) By using a non-linear sequence, Hemingway builds suspense and allows us to dive deeper into the characters’ emotions and motivations, reflecting the unpredictable nature of life and relationships.

Q c) The three main characters are Francis Macomber, his wife Margot, and their safari guide, Robert Wilson. Each plays a critical role in the unfolding drama.

Q d) Hemingway doesn’t seem to want us to wholly like or dislike any of the characters. Each has flaws and virtues, making them complex and more realistic.

Q e) Mentioning Margot’s endorsement deal she didn’t believe in hints at her superficiality and willingness to sacrifice integrity for gain, reflecting her actions in her marriage.

Q f)Their relationship seems built on power and material benefits rather than love. Margot enjoys the social status and lifestyle Francis provides, while he benefits from her attractiveness and charm.

Q g) Margot shoots Francis when he begins showing independence and bravery, threatening her control over him. It’s a desperate move to maintain the status quo.

Q h)Francis’s life is “short and happy” because he only finds true happiness and courage shortly before his tragic end. The story contrasts his brief personal growth with his untimely death.

Q i) The lion’s POV scenes are striking because they show a natural dignity that contrasts with the humans’ messy, emotional conflicts. Hemingway uses simple, direct language here, which makes these scenes stand out and adds depth to the story.

[Caitlyn Murphy]

a) Hemingway’s decision to structure the narrative from the middle, beginning, and end heightens the tension within the story. This unconventional approach surprises readers, prompting them to eagerly seek the story’s resolution and understand the rationale behind its structure.

 

b) Perhaps this arrangement serves to compel readers to reconstruct the narrative themselves, akin to piecing together memories.

 

c) The three primary characters are Francis Macomber, Margot Macomber, and Robert Wilson.

 

d) While the author doesn’t explicitly identify the antagonist, the story prompts readers to choose between the couple.

 

e) Margot’s actions reveal a lack of integrity, as individuals with integrity typically refrain from such behavior.

 

f) The attraction between Francis and Margot appears to revolve around social status and power dynamics rather than genuine affection. Francis is likely drawn to Margot’s beauty and social standing, while Margot may be enamored with Francis for his wealth and security.

 

g) Margot’s decision to shoot Francis at the story’s conclusion stems from their relationship struggles and her feelings of betrayal.

 

h) What unfolds is a brief glimpse of freedom for Francis before his demise.

 

i) Initially overlooked, upon reflection, the narrative structure holds deeper significance.

[Yaritza Torres]

B) Hemingway made this decision because it draws the reader in and heightens the suspense and skepticism throughout the narrative. As the plot develops, it makes the story more captivating.

C) The three main characters are Francis Macomber, Margot Macomber, and Robert Wilson.

D) Although the author doesn’t explicitly state which characters we should dislike, they construct the narrative so that the reader is left with a choice.

E) Given that someone with integrity wouldn’t act in such a way, it is evident that Margot lacks integrity.

F) Their relationship doesn’t seem to be based on love, but rather on wealth and power. Francis gives Margot a good social standing and a luxurious lifestyle, and he gains from her beauty.

G) The issues in their relationship and her sense of betrayal lead Margot to shoot Francis at the end of the story.

H) Francis’s life is short and happy because he only discovers true happiness in the final moments before his untimely death. Before he passed away, he caught a glimpse of freedom.

I) I didn’t first notice it but I do sense something unusual in the two lion’s POV.

[Mariadelmar Marin]

B)The author told the story without an order of sequence because it leaves the passion that would help us communicate the story grippingly.

C)The main characters are Francis Macomber, his wife Margo Macomber, and the white hunter Robert Wilson.

D)The author wants us to dislike Margo because she is the villain in this story.

E)Margot seems to have zero integrity.  Her actions speak louder than words.  She was dishonest in promoting something she had never used to get paid, meaning she only cares about money.

F)Francis Macomber has the power of his wealth, his wife has the beauty that seems to control him, emasculating himself.

G)Margot shoots her husband after realizing she doesn’t have any more control over him, after Francis’s bravery in embracing his fear, giving him a sense of freedom and confidence.

H) Francis’s life was short and life like the story’s title.  The story examines a theme of courage and cowardice.  Francis is shown as a cowardly man but towards the end through maturity, he finds his confidence.

I)The POV of the lion’s scenes understands the tensions and contractions that characterize masculinity.

• This reply was modified 7 months, 2 weeks ago by Mariadelmar Marin.

[Sofia Quinde]

B) The author made the decision to edge the readers by starting in the middle of the action.

C) The main characters are Francis Macomber, Margo Macomber (his wife), and the white hunter Robert Wilson.

D) The author writes the characters with personality, so it’s up to the reader to dislike a character.

E) Margot lacks integrity.

F) Their relationships dwelves on wealth and power.

G) Margot shoots Francis in the end because she realizes she has no control over him.

H) Before Francis passes away he experiences a quick glimpse of freedom.

I) The story goes into the themes of bravery, masculinity, and human instincts.

[Kyyoung98]

a) The author decision to structure the story from the middle, beginning, and end enhances the narrative tension. This structure makes the story more thrilling and enthralling, wanted to see the end of the story.

b) The author chooses this arrangement to compel the readers to reconstruct themselves, making the story more captivating.

c) The three main characters are Francis Macomber, Margot Macomber, and Robert Wilson.

d) The author wants us to dislike Margot because she is the villain of the story.

e) Margot actions reveal a lack of integrity

f) Their relation thrives on power and wealth.

g) Margot shoots Francis at the end because she realizes she has no authority with him.

h) Before Francis died he experiences a quick glimpse of freedom.

i) The story goes into the themes of human instincts, masculinity, and bravery.

[braulio]

Hemingway starts in the middle and then explains how things got to that point. This structure makes the story more interesting.
Hemingway builds suspense and allows us to see the character’s emotions and motivations, reflecting the unpredictable nature of life and relationships.
The three main characters are Francis Macomber, Margot, and Robert Wilson.
Hemingway doesn’t want us to dislike any of the characters. Each has flaws and virtues, making them complex and more realistic.
she didn’t believe in hints at her superficiality and willingness to sacrifice integrity for gain, reflecting her actions in her marriage.
Margot enjoys the lifestyle Francis provides, while he benefits from her attractiveness
Margot shoots Francis when he begins showing independence and bravery. It’s a desperate move to maintain the status quo.
Francis’s life is “short and happy” because he only finds true happiness and courage shortly before his tragic end.
The lion’s POV scenes are striking because they show a natural dignity that’s different from the humans’ messy, emotional conflicts.

[ibrahim]

a) Hemingway immediately captures the reader’s interest and creates a sense of intrigue and tension.

b) This technique allows him to build suspense as the backstory unfolds, gradually revealing the complexities of the characters and their relationships.

c) The three main characters in the story are: Francis Macomber, Margot Macomber and Robert Wilson.

d) Readers may find themselves sympathizing with Francis Macomber as he struggles with his fear and seeks redemption. In contrast, Margot is often depicted in a negative light due to her manipulative and unfaithful behavior.

e) Margot’s willingness to endorse a product she has never used for financial gain reflects a lack of integrity and a propensity for deceit. This detail underscores her superficiality and opportunism, suggesting that she prioritizes appearances and material benefits over authenticity and honesty.

f) Margot holds power over Francis through her beauty, social status, and manipulative behavior, which she uses to control and belittle him. Francis, on the other hand, is attracted to Margot’s physical appearance and the social prestige she brings as his wife.

g) Margot shoots Francis at a critical moment when he is experiencing a newfound sense of confidence and bravery after successfully facing down a buffalo.

h) It refers to the brief period during which he overcomes his fear and experiences a sense of empowerment and liberation. This transformation occurs after he successfully confronts the buffalo.

i) The lion’s perspective serves to understand the tensions and bravery that characterize masculinity.

• This reply was modified 7 months, 1 week ago by ibrahim.

[Gana Elhanafy]

a + b) This style of storytelling creates a narrative tension that keeps the readers hooked and requires focus because I think he did this to require the readers to piece the story themselves and maybe even backtrack on some details/parts of the story.
c) Francis Macomber, Margot Macomber, and Robert Wilson.
d) Margot is depicted as the villain in this story, I believe he wants us to dislike her in particular, especially with how she’s openly cheating on her husband.
d) People don’t think about whether the person in the product promotion uses it. Typically, people want it just because those celebrities were seen with it and it becomes a trend. Since the models are attractive it’s a subconscious belief where we think we can become like that by using said product.
e) It shows she had no integrity, she just does it for show and doesn’t care.
f) Francis has the power of wealth over his wife, while Margot has the power of social status and beauty over her husband. Not to mention she knows of Francis’ most embarrassing moment when he ran away from a lion after trying to shoot it, so she holds this over his head, considers him a coward for it, and uses it against him.
g) She shot him then because she feared he might become braver and she’d no longer have any control over him.
h) This is because it references the brief period in which he overcomes his fear and experiences a sense of courage only after confronting the buffalo before dying.