SSRJ #2 Hemingway
- This piece entitled, "Soldiers Home" brought about some subtle nuances that when read caused the reader to follow the story and assume that it would result a certain way. But to much surprise the author Hemingway desired a much different result of complete depth and revelation to what the main character Krebs was experiencing, feeling, and remembering as he returned home from his duties as a soldier. This piece made me feel empathy for Krebs as he paints an emotional picture of struggle and change as he tries his best to adapt to the community and home in which he used to know so well growing up in. The element of the photograph that was introduced in the story was ultimately the one element that caught my attention early on. This photo is introduced and explained in the beginning of this story. The emphasis of the beauty that one might make out for a returning soldier and the romances that ensues that position of a soldier coming home is exactly the opposite of what this picture depicts. This picture tells about the river in which the picture is taken and it is not even noticeable in the background, and it is said that there are two German women with him and then it is said that they are not beautiful, when at first introduced one may only expect to associate them to the beauty and romance. This particular instance of the photograph related to me personally in my life experiences due to the fact that a picture can say a thousand words without even being spoken. A picture can bring about many thoughts, assumptions, and judgements but unless one was there experiencing that moment, than the picture is only a type shadow of the experience that lived at that moment.
- I recognized a sense of irony in the portrayal of the struggles that Krebs had as a soldier returning home. One would associate and Krebs expected somewhat of a emotional and yet romantic return home. But as the story unfolds we recognize that his reactions to how he was accepted into the community after an extended period of receiving many soldiers is that of discontent and almost a sense of dishonor. We can even break down this stories title to believing that this story may lead us through the positive experiences that come with a soldier reuniting with his family and finally coming home. This stories title is extremely on track as we see that this soldier’s home is what he is familiar with, and welcomed to. But the real discrepancy of the title is held under Krebs constant search of his true home after being changed into a different man where even “home” seems like a foreign place to him, he is in constant search of that place and then begins to search within himself to find “home”. Krebs war experiences are present to him when we see him un able to do the tasks that were before him pre-war. We see that he has trouble engaging in the families regular schedule that was formed before he left and thus he is perplexed as to why after these experiences is he not able to engage as he used to. After being home for a while one may experience change to mannerisms, choices, or even character. It is believed that one is a product of ones environment, and in the case of this short story it is evident that Krebs is having trouble associating or even recognizing who he used to be thus leading the reader to an unusual and rarely sought after irony.
- This story was well written in my opinion but many questions arose throughout this story in my mind. I wonder what Hemingway's true purpose was for the emphasis and almost let down of what the photograph's significance was, not only to the readers interpretation, but also to the significance of building Krebs as a character. I also wonder why there was so much description of the young women? Lastly, I am perplexed as to the disconnect to his mother. Is this portrayed as symbolism of not truly being able to connect to being home, and living that picture of home through the mothers image?
I believe your right when you say his disconnect from his mother is symbolizing his ability to connect with anybody post-war.
ReplyDeleteI think the photograph of Krebs with the German girls depicted his "home" while in the service. He left, a Methodist college student, and came back feeling like a stranger in his own hometown. Things had not changed at home, but the war had changed him. At home he was his little sister's hero, and his mother's little boy, but had lost his own identity. His mother thought a job, routine and prayer would make everything alright, just as it always had. He went along with her, knowing he would need to leave home if her was ever to find home again.
ReplyDeleteI was also curious as to why there was so much detail given to the women he watched from his front porch. I believe it was Hemingway's way of showing us what Kreb's truly wanted, but could not have until he resolved the conflict that was in his mind. I think we are given so much detail because Krebs observes so much detail about them. He is fascinated by them because women were different then what he remembered of them from before the war and in Europe.
ReplyDeleteYou bring up a lot of interesting points. He didn't seem traumatized by his experience in the war, but I do think that the events he faced affected the way in which he expresses emotion, and perhaps he didn't have a close relationship with his family to begin with.
ReplyDeleteI think that when we all think of home we think of our families, and for me mostly i think of my mom. My mom is always the center of the family that brings everything together I think that maybe he thinking of his mom helps bring back bad memories about the war and how he doesn't want to be here.
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