Francis Macomber Sparknotes

Many people in life struggle to overcome the demons they encounter in their day to day lives and many never overcome them, however, occasionally they do. Throughout Ernest Hemingway's "The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber", the author develops the idea of an American couple, Margot, and Francis Macomber, who have reached a roadblock in their marriage. The couple finds themselves on an African safari hunting big game, led by the problematic guide Robert Wilson and his crew. Ernest Hemingway’s “The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber” explores the problems the Macomber’s face within their marriage along with safari guide Robert Wilson’s unique profession and way of life, but especially highlights Francis Macomber’s journey to become a man.

Written from a third person omniscient point of view along with the use of snide dialogue, Hemingway allows the readers to look into and evaluate the Macomber’s troubled marriage. During an unpleasant conversation Francis and Margot exchange a few choice words, “‘Why not let up on the bitchery just a little Margot’ Macomber said…’I suppose I could,’ she said, ‘since you put it so prettily”’ (Hemingway 5). Hemingway uses the dialogue shown above to depict Margot Macomber as a wife who complains often and shows no respect for her husband. Margot learns of her husband’s actions on the lion hunt and becomes disappointed in him, leading her to act condescending towards Macomber. Already displeased by her husband’s behavior Margot makes a snide passive aggressive remark when Macomber asks her to “let up on the bitchery just a little”. The following morning after the second lion hunt Wilson’s thoughts read, “So she woke him when she came in, Wilson thought, looking at them both with his flat, cold eyes. Well, why doesn’t he keep his wife where she belongs? What does he think I am, a bloody plaster saint? Let him keep her where she belongs. It’s his own fault” (Hemingway 14). This internal dialogue from Wilson about Margot Macomber, along with a brief discussion between the Macomber’s last night, allows the reader to put two and two together and realize Margot engaged in an infidelity. The narrator allows us into Wilson’s mind to see his thoughts on the affair and how he plans on dealing with the outcome. K.G. Johnston when discussing Macomber’s actions and why Margot had the affair states, “Heretofore, he has not been man enough to command her fidelity; the kiss she bestows on Wilson after the lion hunt episode and her sharing his double cot that night are tribute to a man of courage”(225). Johnston uses the actions described in the story by the narrator to justify why Margot remains unfaithful to her husband. This reason being Macomber does not obtain the courage needed to keep Margot in check, which leads her to perceive herself as in charge of the situation. Since she interprets the situation this way, she acts recklessly and understands no real consequences will happen. Margot displeased with her marriage becomes unfaithful to her husband and treats him poorly. Margot also perceives herself as the one in control of the relationship, which explains why she does not care that Macomber knows of her multiple affairs. When Macomber tries to assert his dominance Margot makes snide comments to shut him down and to maintain her dominance over him.
Robert Wilson’s way of life and unique character is displayed through Hemingway’s use of both indirect and direct characterization. Wilson, a hunter of many years finds excitement in his trade, indirectly characterized by, “Robert Wilson came up then carrying his short, ugly, shockingly big-bored. 505 Gibbs and grinning” (Hemingway 8). As a professional hunter in the African grasslands, Wilson may face difficulties with clients similar to the Macomber’s, but he enjoys the thrill of the hunt. During the buffalo hunts Wilson states, “How does it go? Shakespeare. Damned good. See if I can remember. Oh, damned good. Used to quote it myself at one time. Let's see. ‘By my troth, I care not; a man can die but once; we owe God a death and let it go which way it will, he dies this year us quit for the next,' Damned fine, eh?"' while talking to the Macomber's (Hemingway 20). This indirect characterization provides insight into Wilson's mind and proves in the past he received an education. This quoting of Shakespeare makes Wilson appear to have more depth to him than previously shown throughout the story. George Cheatham notices Hemingway describes Wilson's eyes more than once throughout the story, "‘Hemingway somewhat heavy-handedly insists on the point: ‘extremely cold blue eyes'(542), ‘flat, blue, machine-gunner's eyes'(545), ‘flat, cold eyes'(559), ‘flat, blue eyes'(570)"' (2). Through direct characterization Cheatham points out how Hemingway describes Wilson as having "cold" and "machine-gunner" eyes suggesting Wilson's darker side. This also leads to the fact that maybe having been a hunter for years on end takes a toll on Wilson's soul leading him to grow "cold". Through characterization, Hemingway develops Wilson as an intelligent man who has been greatly affected by his chosen line of work.
Macomber faces multiple problems within his marriage and failed hunts due to his cowardly tendencies described in the motif of manhood and masculinity that Hemingway uses throughout the story until the end where we see Macomber prove his manhood.

In the narrator’s description of Macomber it states, “He was dressed in the same sort of safari clothes that Wilson wore except that his were new he was thirty-five years old, kept himself very fit, was good at court games, had a number of big-game fishing records, and had just shown himself very publicly, to be a coward” (Hemingway 2). This marks the beginning of the motif concerning Macomber’s cowardly actions seen throughout the story. Hemingway paints a picture of Macomber as very similar to Wilson until he bolts from the lion he pays to kill on the safari. Easily frightened Macomber does not possess enough faith or courage to remain and finish the job he set out to do, leaving Wilson and his gun bearers to complete the task. After the buffalo hunt, Macomber experiences a new feeling, the feeling of finally becoming a man, "He expected the feeling he had about the lion to come back but it did not. For the first time in his life, he really felt wholly without fear. Instead of fear, he had a feeling of definite elation" (Hemingway 19). Hemingway once again uses the motif of manhood to describe how Macomber for once in his life gains control and has no fear; he has become a man and effectually overcome his demons. Macomber's taken down his big game and now feels prepared for anything else that might come his way. After the buffalo hunt, Margot experiences a revelation and understands she no longer controls the situation causing her panic, which leads her to shoot Macomber in the head. H. H. Bell Jr. states in his article, "Wilson perceives this, and, professional hunter that he is, he treats her the same way he would treat any other wounded lioness. In other words, he applies the code of the professional hunter on a human

level. He approaches her and ‘kills' her by killing her spirit; by breaking down her overbearing pride; shattering her unlimited confidence, and changing her from a woman who is in control of the situation to a woman who is so humbled that she pleads for mercy" (226). Margot grows afraid of Macomber when he reaches manhood and she understands a divorce looms in the near future, so she acts on these fears. This makes Margot the coward because she cannot find the courage to face the problems she created within their lives. Macomber enters the story a coward, afraid and easily pushed around and leaves a whole new man, in control of his life until his tragic murder.
Ernest Hemingway’s “The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber”, explores the problems people face within marriages, work, and the journey to becoming a man. Hemingway does this through the use of snide dialogue, omniscient narration, indirect and direct characterization, and a motif concerning masculinity. It is a thrilling story that keeps the reader engaged all the way up until the last sentence.