The Snows of Kilimanjaro - Essay Example

While Henry waits for the approach of the inevitable hour, the plot of the story moves ahead through the recollection of his thoughts of the spectacular experience of the poor and “interesting lot”. The story is also captivated with the remorse and repentance of Henry during his final hours as he estimates the time he has wasted in his decadent life instead of writing down his wonderful experiences.

A thorough understanding and deep delineation of the story would launch the readers into the three most pertinent characteristics of Henry’s personality. The first obvious trait in his personality is his impatient nature. Henry is seen to be impatient and pessimistic throughout the story. He is in a continuous quest and his thought process is also observed moving faster. He is hopeless and he is sure that no aid can be given to him except a peaceful death which according to him he is denied at the camp as well, “Don't be silly. I'm dying now. Ask those bastards. He looked over to where the huge, filthy birds sat, their naked heads sunk in the hunched feathers. A fourth planed down to run quick-legged and then waddle slowly toward the others”. (Hemingway, 1998).

Henry is seen blaming others for his failure which is an indication of very nagging behavior. He blames the woman company for the injustice he has done to his writing career and claims them as the means of mind deviation, and is very abusive, “You bitch” he said. “You rich bitch. That's poetry. I'm full of poetry now. Rot and poetry. Rotten poetry.” (Hemingway, 1998). But the greatest trait of Henry’s personality is his determination which sometimes takes the shape of obstinacy as the readers would notice it into his stand regarding drink: “You shouldn't” she said. “That's what I mean by giving up. It says it's bad for you. I know it's bad for you 'No,' he said. 'It's good for me.'”  (Hemingway, 1998). And Henry’s greatest realization which reveals his sportsmanship spirit, his courage, and perseverance would make him eternal, “I don't like to leave anything” the man said. “I don't like to leave things behind” (Hemingway, 1998). These lines indicate Henry’s vision to move forward in life.

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