Ernest Hemingway and Controversy - Research Paper Example

Ernest Hemingway and Controversy: Ernest Hemingway is viewed as a genius, and a very creative and talented writer. However, this is far from reality, mainly because of the weaknesses in the writing style of Hemingway, and the various controversies that he had engaged in. For instance, in most of his works, Hemingway used to depict women in a negative manner; hence he was accused of misogyny (Rama, 145). Misogyny refers to a situation whereby an individual is highly critical of women, and does not have any positive view regarding the roles and contributions of women to the society. Most of the writings of Hemingway were able to criticize the manner which women were behaving within the society. Another controversial issue that was facing Hemingway was in regard to his sexual orientation. This is controversial because Hemingway is known to have a deep hatred to the gay people; however, scholars denote that this was with the intention of hiding his sexual orientation. This is because Hemingway is suspected to have been a gay person. It is these types of controversies and issues surrounding the life of Hemingway that could have an impact in negatively affecting his career. This paper examines the controversial manner which Hemingway was able to depict women, and why this could negatively affect his career. Ernest Hemingway is a famous and talented American writer. However, most of his critics do not feel the same. This is because of his writing style, and the various controversies that Mr. Hemingway was able to have. On most occasions, Mr. Hemingway is always compared to famous authors such as William Faulkner and Scott Fitzergerald. However, he has a very different writing style, when it is compared to these famous authors. Furthermore, Mr. Hemingway has made enormous and great contribution to the modern fiction, when he is compared to the above mentioned authors (Boon, 27). However, this assertion is debatable, mainly because he has only a handful of novels and fictions to his name. This is when compared to the above authors, who dedicated most of their lives in writing fiction and novels. Furthermore, he was very particular in regard to his writing (Bloom, 31). He did not just come up with a story, but he analyzed the story carefully, and every sentence, and word, for purposes of ensuring that the story under consideration would serve its function, and disseminate the intended message. Furthermore, the novels that Hemingway created were following a chronological order. The impact of this order is that the novels were boring, and very typical. For a famous writer with a good reputation, this was unacceptable and uncalled for (Wagner-Martin, 33). This is because of the notion that his novels should contain some stylistic devices, such as flashbacks, repetitions, poetry, etc. However, the writing style of Hemingway is currently used by many writers or authors. His writing style was characterized by a laconic dialogue, and an emotional understatement. This is because he constantly used suspense for purposes of making a story to be interesting, and encouraging a reader to continue reading the story. Furthermore, his writing style was prose based, as opposed to the reflective writing style that characterized the Victorian era. Hemingway also introduced a writing style, whereby he was able to remove some important information about a character, with the belief that this would make the story to be more interesting, and hence add some strength to the narrative. Furthermore, Hemingway does not provide lengthy psychological and geographical descriptions. It is because of this, that he has been greatly criticized for lacking substance in his narratives. However, most authors today, are influenced by the writing style of Hemingway; hence he has contributed to the development of literature. The writings of Ernest Hemingway were always regarded by scholars of literature as important statements of the modern day situations, which were able to depict some sexist leanings. In as much as Hemingway played an important role in depicting authentic stories, regarding the 1st world war, and the disillusionment of the post 1st world war, and the violence that was characterized by the 20th century, scholar also explains that most of his stories were able to praise the masculinity of men, at the expense of women (Wagner-Martin, 41). Furthermore, most of his stories, which were male oriented, touched on bull fighting, hunting, and battle scenes were able to alienate most of the female readers of his works (Moddelmog and Gizzo, 103). It is due to these facts that it is possible to denote that Ernest Hemingway was ascribing to the principles of misogyny. However, the term misogyny is a very harsh word, to use against Hemingway. Misogyny refers to the dislike or hatred that an individual may have towards girls or even women. This situation is reflected in a variety of ways, and this includes denigration of women, sexual abuse and discrimination, and violence against women. This concept of misogyny is found in a variety of mythologies of the ancient worlds, and religions (Waldhorn, 39). For instance in the Greek society, women were not valued. This is because they were not allowed to participate in the social and political affairs of the Greek city states. This is mainly because they were viewed as weaker than men, and hence they could not perform other duties, apart from taking care of the homes. Women were also viewed as sexual objects, whose role was to produce children. Furthermore, most of the western philosophers and scholars are regarded as misogynists. However, it would be unfair to depict Ernest Hemingway as a misogynist. This is because misogynist is the extreme of a feminist. Furthermore, during the end of his life, Hemingway was showing some signs of appreciating women. For instance, he was able to appreciate the role of fourth wife in shaping his career, and he dedicated a book for her. The best term to use is the concept of sexism. Sexism refers to the discrimination or prejudice of an individual, in terms of gender or the sex of an individual (Bloom, 37). Sexism has the capability of affecting a man and woman, but on most occasions, it is a woman who normally suffers from this aspect of sexism (Rama, 161). It is also linked to the stereotyping of the gender under consideration. The propagation of the theme of sexism is first depicted in the short story of Hemingway that is called, The Soldiers Home (Tyler, p. 38). This is a story that is found in the first book written by Hemingway in 1925, is called, In Our Time (Waldhorn, p. 260). This book is a collection of stories that are based on World War 1, and the experiences of people, after the 1st world war. Hemingway was able to use the theme of the 1st World War, and this is because he had served in the war. This gave him an experience and knowledge of the sufferings of the soldiers and their desires. Hence he was able to write, this short story, the Soldiers Home (Tyler, p. 38). This story has some elements of sexism, and it is possible to depict the character of Hemingway, by analyzing the manner in which he has developed the plot of this story, and the character traits and values of the major participants of this story (Moddelmog and Gizzo, 280). The story talks about Kreb, a young man, who is just returning from war. Krebs is unable to fit into the society, and this is because he has a feeling that his male counterparts are misunderstood by the younger and older generation (Waldhorn, 54). Hemingway uses too much information in describing the manner in which Krebs was obsessed with easy women, the ones whom he could sleep with easily, without making an effort of identifying the common things associate with them, and their interests. Through the character of Krebs, Hemingway is able to depict some elements of sexism, and stereotyping of women. Stereotyping is depicted, when Krebs does not want to be associated with women who keep engaging in a frivolous gossip (Stewart, 28). Through this character, Hemingway manages to depict women, as people who are constantly engaged in gossiping, hence, there is no need of giving them a special attention. This is an aspect of stereotyping, where women are associated with gossiping. Furthermore, Krebs denotes that a man should not struggle to get a woman, and this is because when he is ready, all that he needs is a bed and a room, and the identified woman. This is an aspect of sexism, against women, and it depicts them, as sex objects. Issues in regard to sexism and feminism is not only depicted in this story, but also in another short story by Hemingway, called, Cat in the Rain (Brennen, 16). This is amongst the first short story that was written by Hemingway, and one of its major thematic connotations was sexism. This is a story that depicts two American tourists, who are married, and they visit an Italian hotel. In this story, the woman is very petty, and constantly whines to her husband, demanding attention, and makes trivial demands, such as she needs a fancy candle, a new clothe, a long hair, etc. Furthermore, throughout this story, Hemingway does not call the woman by her name, but he calls the husband, by his name, that is George. The woman is referred to as her, or the American girl. This title is very controversial, in the sense that, Hemingway is equating her trivial demands, to the title that he was able to give her. Furthermore, by failing to identify the woman by her name, while identifying the man by his name, Hemingway is able to depict that he did not value women, and they could not be on the same level as men (Wagner-Martin, 53). This is an aspect of sexism and feminism. Almost all the novels and writings by Hemingway were able to depict women in a negative manner while glorifying the place of men, within the society. In fact, Hemingway was too sexist and feminist, that he was able to make some very negative remarks on fellow writers who were too feminine in their writings. An example was his critique of John Dos Passos, who Hemingway viewed as an individual who was very womanish (Rama, 159). This is because of his refusal to take a more masculine stand, while writing his novels or stories. This is an indication that Hemingway could not tolerate men, who were viewing women on the same level or standard. However, Bloom (22) explains that this aspect of sexism and feminism that is associated with Hemingway is exaggerated. This is because in his 1927 novel referred to as, Hills like White Elephants (Bloom, 81), Hemingway is able to glorify a woman, who was able to resist her lover, who wanted an easier way out, by conducting an abortion. To him, the woman was more like a man, as opposed to her lover. Stewart (44) explains that Hemingway was sexist in this novel, and this is because he was able to glorify any woman who was acting as a man. Boon (32) explains that Hemingway believed that any woman who could act as a man, should be respected, and a man, who was acting as a woman should not gain any respect from the society. Hemingway considers habits such as gossiping, and making trivial demands, as examples of character traits that depict a woman. This aspect of sexism is controversial in nature, and this is mostly because it undermines the position of a woman within the society. The emergence of movements responsible for promoting civil and human rights, and the acceptance of the essential responsibilities that women have in the society, has made most modern day novelists to avoid writing on issues that would portray the male or the female gender in a negative manner. Boon (47) explains that most of the contributions of his short stories were based on the fact that he was able not to appreciate the role of women within the society. In fact, his marriage life is an indication of his sexists and feminist believes. This is because he was able to marry three times, and in each of these times, he could not tolerate his wives, mainly because they could not act as men. However, he was able to praise his fourth wife, and this is because she was acting as a man, while making love. Furthermore, there are suggestions that Hemingway could have been a gay person, hence his negative attitude towards women. It is because of these factors that Hemingway was unable to stay with his first three wives. This is because of his domineering sexuality. These character traits were later on depicted in his writings, which took a sexist and feminist stand. Waldhorn (33) explains that in any circumstance that Hemingway was supporting women, these women had to have the characteristics of a man. This is the reason he was able to respect and love his fourth wife Mary, due to the fact that she acted as a man, during the process of love making. In conclusion, the controversy that is associated with Ernest Hemingway is sexism and a feminist. In his short stories, Hemingway does not value women, and on most occasions, he views them as objects of sex, and people who are trivial in nature. This criticism of the works of Hemingway is valid. His sexism and feminist nature is clearly depicted in the manner which he was able to live his personal life. For instance, he had three unsuccessful marriages, and this is mostly because he expected his wives to act as men. This is the character trait that made him to love his fourth wife, Mary. Sexism, and feminism are very negative attributes that an individual can have, and they are greatly criticized. In the modern times, people value equality, and they tend to shun issues or behaviors that may threaten an equal society. Hence, these negative attributes of Hemingway were a threat to his career, and this is despite making a role in the manner which he was writing his fictions. Works Cited: Top of Form Bloom, Harold. Ernest Hemingway. Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishers, 2005. Print. Bottom of Form Top of Form Brennen, Carlene F. Hemingways Cats. Sarasota, Fla: Pineapple Press, Inc, 2011. Print. Bottom of Form Top of Form Boon, Kevin A. Ernest Hemingway. Tarrytown, NY: Marshall Cavendish Benchmark, 2007. Print. Top of Form Moddelmog, Debra, and Gizzo S. Del. Ernest Hemingway in Context. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2013. Print. Bottom of Form Top of Form Rama, Rao P. G. Ernest Hemingways a Farewell to Arms. New Delhi: Atlantic Publishers & Distributors, 2007. Print. Bottom of Form Top of Form Stewart, Matthew. Modernism and Tradition in Ernest Hemingways in Our Time: A Guide for Students and Readers. Rochester, NY: Camden House, 2001. Print. Bottom of Form Top of Form Tyler, Lisa. Student Companion to Ernest Hemingway. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press, 2001. Print. Top of Form Wagner-Martin, Linda. A Historical Guide to Ernest Hemingway. New York, NY [u.a.: Oxford Univ. Press, 2000. Print. Top of Form Waldhorn, Arthur. A Readers Guide to Ernest Hemingway. Syracuse, N.Y: Syracuse University Press, 2002. Print. Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Read More