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##ity And Intimacy In Ernest Hemingway's In Our Time

Decent Essays

Ernest Hemingway grasps the intimacy and authenticity of human relationships, in his book, “In Our Time.” The book consists of short stories following the lives of different individuals. Few of the short stories include The End of Something, Mr. and Mrs. Elliot, Cat in the Rain, and The Doctor and The Doctor’s Wife. Through these short stories, relationships between male and female characters, lack meaningful intimacy. There is a disconnect amongst these couples. Hemingway redefines intimacy and what it means. Intimacy goes beyond sex; it is a bond between individuals. He is depicting two forms of intimacy through his characters. One form of intimacy is emotional intimacy, which is portrayed in the male characters. The other form would be sexual intimacy. Thus, Hemingway is changing our perception of intimacy; it is not only found in male and female relationships, but also in friendships. The bond between the male characters is more meaningful and stronger than the female and male relationships.
Furthermore, Hemingway explores the absence of emotional intimacy in the male and female relationships. In The Doctor and The Doctor’s Wife, the couple that is portrayed are the doctor and his wife. The theme of isolation is prevalent in this story. For example, ““Aren’t you going back to work, dear?” asked the doctor’s wife from the room where she was lying with the blinds drawn” (Hemingway 25). From this example, it is clear that the wife is in her own room. Given another example,

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