Modernism and Hemingway

1915-1946

Historical Context

• Time period after World War I.

• A growing sense of uncertainty, disjointedness, and disillusionment.

• Americans did not trust the ideas and values of the past.

Modernism

• Captures the essence of modern life in both form and content.

• Disjointedness – fragmented writing style.• Stream of consciousness – presents

thoughts as if they were coming directly from a character’s mind.

• Themes (implied not directly stated) – uncertainty, bewilderment, and meaninglessness of modern life.

Ernest Hemingway

• Served in WWI as an ambulance driver.• Considered an expatriate, or exile.• Wrote about peoples’ struggles to maintain a

sense of dignity while living in a seemingly hostile and confusing world.

• Won the Nobel Prize forLiterature in 1954.

• Suffered from hypertension,depression, and paranoia.

• Committed suicide in 1961.

Hemingway’s Iceberg Theory

“I always try to write on the principle of the iceberg.

There is seven-eighths of it under water for every part

that shows.”

The Old Man and the Sea (1952)

• Came 12 years after Hemingway’s last literary success.

• Won the Pulitzer Prize in 1952.

• Topics to discuss:– Symbolism and themes– Stream of consciousness– Christ archetype (the original model of a

person from which others are copied)

Characters

• Santiago – Cuban fisherman who has run out of luck.

• Manolin – a young apprentice of Santiago.

• DiMaggio – baseball player for the New York Yankees; model of strength and commitment.

Christ Archetype

• Crucified – outstretched arms and bleeding hands

• Beaten, betrayed, and forced to carry his own cross

• Fights evil• Body as sacrifice• Fasted• Struggles end in shame and humiliation

• Struggles end in shame and humiliation

• Goodness, patience, and humility

• Fish – source of food; a sacrifice

Significant Numbers

• 3: father, son, and holy spirit; 3 wise men

• 7: God created earth in 7 days; 7 deadly sins

• 40: rained 40 days and nights during flood; Jesus fasted for 40 days