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How Does Hemingway Develop Into Adulthood

Decent Essays

Ernest Hemingway’s short story collection is, in part, about being initiated into adulthood. Hemingway elucidates the development into adulthood in the short story, Indian Camp, through the young boy, Nick Adams. The introduction begins with an adolescent boy, who had not yet grown to be an adult. This is first shown when Nick and his father were going to the Indian Camp. “Nick lay back with his father’s arm around him” (Hemingway 91). When Nick cuddled up in his father’s arms it indicates to us that he has still has not matured because of his high dependence on his father and it additionally demonstrates a young boy with little obligation. Nick’s immaturity is also seen when he asks his father, “Where are we going, Dad?” (Hemingway 91). This …show more content…

As the lady’s screams got louder Nick asked his father to make her stop, his response clarifies how he deals with reality and the inevitable sound of the lady. “But her screams are not important. I don’t hear them because they are not important” (Hemingway 92). Dr. Adams is a knowledgeable and poise man and understands what he must do to deliver the baby. He does not care about what he control, which is his grace under pressure. Grace under pressure is a term used to describe the self-control and discipline one acts upon when faced with stress or a problem in life. The final escape Nick faced was the husband’s reaction to childbirth. The husband was incompetent and unable to physically escape because of his hurt foot, so once the pressure got to him and he cracked. “His throat had been cut from ear to ear. The blood had flowed down into a pool where his body sagged the bunk. His head rested on his left arm. The open razor lay, edge up, in the blankets” (Hemingway 94). The husband was not able to leave so he committed suicide because he found it as his only escape. From Nick’s exposure to how people around him dealt with pain he matured into a refined

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