Harold Krebs Essay

Does Harold Krebs Have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?
The author of this story, Ernest Hemingway, was indirectly involved in war efforts in WW1. He was an ambulance driver for the American Red Cross in Italy, and he was hurt during duty. Later, he was sent to the hospital, where he became attracted to his nurse. When he was well enough to go back home, he wanted to marry her, but she refused him. (Henningfield 259). This may have sent him into a downwards spiraling depression that lead him to feel similar to Harold Krebs, the main character of our story, who seems to be suffering after a war. Unfortunately for him, this abrupt breaking-off of relations may have harmed Hemingway mentally. (Henningfield 259). This harm likely manifested itself

These negative changes in beliefs and feelings are hallmark signs of PTSD (U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs). Harold Krebs exhibits these symptoms of PTSD various times throughout the story, but they are the most visible when he is talking to his mother. When his mother refers to him finding a job, she mentions that everyone has some work to do in God’s kingdom, and he says that he is not in God’s Kingdom. Later on, his mother asked him to pray multiple times, and he repeatedly insists that he is unable to pray (Hemingway 690). Eventually, his mother prays for him, as he simply cannot bring himself to pray. Previously Harold Krebs had a Christian education and upbringing thus his beliefs should align with Christianity, however it seems as if those beliefs are no longer present after the war. Even directly before the war Krebs attended a religious college. This drastic shift in his views on religion and his place in the world is indicative of PTSD. Lack of strong feelings and avoidance of relationships coupled with the negative changes in beliefs and feelings show that it is likely that Krebs has PTSD, however one more group of symptoms seems to fit Krebs