Symbolism In Soldiers Home By Hemingway

“Soldier’s Home” Symbolism

In Hemingway’s short story “Soldier’s Home”, Hemingway introduces us to a young American soldier, that had just arrived home from World War I. Harold Krebs, our main character, did not receive a warm welcome after his arrival, due to coming home a few years later than most soldiers. After arriving home, it becomes clear that World War I has deeply impacted the young man, Krebs is not the same man that headed off to the war. The war had stripped the young man of his coping mechanism, female companionship, and the ability to achieve the typical American life.

The first area of symbolism in “Soldier’s Home” is Krebs false war stories. Krebs false war stories represents his need to cope with the realities of war. Krebs

would tell lies, “were quite unimportant and consisted in attributing to himself things other men had seen” (166). Krebs would tell honest versions of his war stories, but nobody would listen. Krebs decided to tell stories to grab people attention, but sadly this does not even work because the town-folk, “were not thrilled by his stories” (166). The only time he gets some to relieve some of the burden from the war is to other fellow soldiers, Krebs would tell them, “he had been sickly frightened all the time. In this he lost everything” (167). Krebs’ false war stories act as a coping mechanism for the young man to help him discuss and relieve some of the damage done to the young soldier’s mind. A coping mechanism that is not effective due to everyone being tired of war talk, leaving Krebs without the ability to come to terms with the realities of war.
The next area of symbolism in “Soldier’s Home is the young girls.

Hemingway deals with the effects of war on the male desire for women in many of his novels and short stories, notably in his novel, The Sun Also Rises. In this novel, the main character Jake, is impotent because of an injury received in World War I. Jakes situation is reminiscent of our main character Krebs. Both characters have been damaged by World War I; the only difference is Jake’s issue is physical, while Krebs issue is mental. Krebs inwardly cannot handle female companionship. Although Krebs still enjoys watching girls from his porch and he “vaguely wanted a girl but did not want to have to work to get her” (167). Krebs found courting “not worth it” (168). The girls symbolize what World War I stripped from our main character, a desire that is natural for men, the desire for women.

The last area of symbolism is the Krebs family life. Krebs states to his mother, “I don’t love anybody” (170). Krebs cannot even bring himself to love his own family, he is numb after the war. Krebs does not even try to look for a job, he spends most his days studying on the war. He no longer cares about wealth or responsibility. Krebs religion has even lost its charm, He cannot even bring himself to pray anymore. Krebs’ family represent his disillusionment with the typical American life, family, job, and

religion.
Hemingway’s usage of symbolism paints a vivid picture of a young soldier suffering from the after effects of a war. Krebs our main character no longer can cope with the realities of the war, no longer desires for female companionship, and has grown disillusioned with his old way of life. Krebs himself becomes a symbol, he symbolizes the men who come back from World War I disenchanted, the Lost Generation. “Soldier’s Home” showcases the power of symbolism and the literary genius of Ernest Hemingway, and why he is considered one of the greatest American writers.