The Snows of Kilimanjaro

The story unveils the past a wounded writer, Harry, hopeless on the verge of death. Hemingway implicitly incarnates his own experience as a writer into this character. Intertwined by his fascination of the plots written in mind and the cruel reality of his dying, the innovative narrative structure makes readers feel fresh. As his reminiscence goes on, his wickedness and his uncertainty about life gradually stripped down to us.

Harry leads a pleasant life that may make most people envy thanks to his relationship with the affluent woman. However, his life as a writer is a failure, as we can see he blames his devoted partner for her “bloody money”. Indeed, we can expect that a decent living may be an obstacle for writing. He lost the urge and motivation to write, but sarcastically, he composes the story in his own head only when he is deprived of physical capability.

Hemingway pours a lot of exotic settings and images into the memory of Harry. From Africa to Paris, Constantinople, and Black Forest, Harry wanders through and composes the writing in his mind. The hyena, gazelles, zebras outside the window and the language they use when talking to the “boys” compose an exotic African landscape. But to Harry, it is the most irritable scene to see.

Hemingway shows implicit regret about his life in his narrative. Harry, claimed to be a writer on his safari in Africa, was scratched by the thorn in hunting. Without much care, the wound develops into a deadly gangrene. Though he is reassured by the woman by his side, he firmly asserts that he is going to die. All vanity, luxurious enjoyments, and decadent lifestyle in his past now seems meaningless to him.

This articles objectively speaks for the writers. Sometimes we will blame the almighty for bring us plight and undertaking, but without those undesirable motivations, we would not have the urge to finish our writing. I only put my thoughts in words when I feel the need, and if I don't do it, I would feel like dying. Misfortune and painful life is God's disguised gift for the writers. We would not write good articles when we indulge ourselves in bodly enjoyments, because at that time we would be too blind to write at all.