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Francis Macomber

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Intentions Unseen “The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber” by Ernest Hemingway is a story of a married couple’s trip on an African safari for hunting. It is on that trip where the audience learns of the couple’s, who are Francis and Margot Macomber, uneasy relationship. On that trip, they also meet a character by the name of Robert Wilson, who becomes their guide there. The story ends tragically with the death of Francis Macomber by being shot in the head by his wife Margot. At first while reading, one would think Francis’ death was accidental because the situation was chaotic, with a buffalo trying to attack them. However, others have said it to be with intent. Margot Macomber’s state of mind was in panic and fear, but her …show more content…

He finds himself having no fear after that event and claims his manhood at that time. This change in Francis’ opinion about himself was recognized by Margot, resulting in her anxiety, because she realizes that Francis now has the capability to leave her. Having also committed an act infidelity, there is no escape and no telling what Francis would do next to their relationship. Margot had always liked having control over Francis, so his sudden courage scares her. An analysis also states: “Though Francis's mate value is greatly increased by his successful shooting of the buffalo, and evolutionary thinking would lead us to expect that this should benefit his wife, it is in Margot's case a threat, due primarily to his knowledge of her infidelity” (Sugiyama). This could result in Margot’s frustration and believing that the only thing left to do was to kill him. If she killed him, there was no way for him to divorce her, and she could have his belongings, including money, to herself. As said by Grant, “the relationship between Macomber and Margot is based on their mutual weaknesses and could not have survived his maturity.” Insecurity playing a role in their relationship was significant. There are particular events in the story that show that Margot was to blame for Francis’ death. After Francis was shot, Wilson is telling Margot that she could have killed him by poison, because that is

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