The Infection Metaphor in Ernest Hemingway’s Short Story, “The Snows Of Kilimanjaro”

Ernest Hemingway uses a third person to come up with a rich and interesting account of his life that is characterized by relationships with women, his ethical orientations, and an aesthetic look. Hemingway utilized many metaphors, vivid ideas, figurative images and thought intriguing descriptions that enable the readers to carry on the message to the end. An analysis of the infection metaphor reveals there are factors that trigger self-pity and apathy. Besides, readers get to understand that scapegoats are not indicators of weakness as a result of the infection but rather the cause. “The Snows of Kilimanjaro” further reveals the various layers upon which Hemingway’s life is anchored as he battles unfulfilled ambitions but chooses to use complacency as a mechanism to get comfort.

Setting

            The story’s setting captures a location of Africa in the plains where Harry and Helen were on Safari. The reference to Mt. Kilimanjaro at the end of the story suggests that the story was specifically set in Tanzania (Downie 3-4). The characteristic of the mountain environment provides many relatable concepts that the author uses to draw the readers’ attention and create vivid pictures with reference to the physical feature.  When considering the short story’s secondary setting, it is evident that the events took place in either an afternoon or an evening. At this time, he reflects on the on his critical condition and the events of the First World War as he traveled across Europe. These flashbacks on past settings where the protagonist has been in the past create the impression that his end is almost near. There are other specific references to places like Paris, Austria, and Nairobi, the latter being the location where he was insulting Helen because of the events that were happening in his life.

Characters

An analysis of all the characters involved in the short story reveals that the main protagonist was Harry. He is an individual that enjoys hunting and take it as a game. His life has turned out to be difficult towards the end as a result of gangrene which threatens his life. He wishes to get a plane that would take him back to a civilized society. Harry can be considered as immoral as a reflection on his life reveals his encounters with prostitutes in an attempt to ”kill his loneliness,” behaviors that would make him fight to win women (Hemingway 15).  Compton also turns out to be an important major character, who was a pilot and responsible for taking flying Harry to the city. An analysis of his character trait reveals he is caring, kind and often reassuring. Harry’s wife called Helen is a courageous woman who hails from a wealthy family. She is portrayed as a loving and empathetic woman who gears her efforts towards reassuring Harry that they can be happy again. Harry has however withdrawn his love and does not want to be associated with Helen, something that subjects her to a form of torture.

Plot

            The story begins with a reference to Mount Kilimanjaro that has wonderful features making it branded as the ‘The House of God” (Hemingway 3). Readers are introduced to two characters, Harry and Helen who are on Safari in Tanzania, a position that can be supported by the mentioning of the mountain. Although Helen is concerned about his husband’s condition, it turns out that he cannot refrain from his harsh treatments characterized by irritable and sarcastic conversations. A self-evaluation on his life make him arrive at a conclusion that he did not self-actualized as Abraham Maslow would argue (Maslow 34). He is making a living through depending on his wife’s wealth despite dedicating his life to jobs that promised a brighter future. The infection on Harry’s right knee would later change his life after poor treatment resulted in the development of gangrene. Later on, readers are introduced to a scene where the couples are having dinner as they reflect on their lives. Towards the end of the story, Harry has thoughts of looming death and has visions of the snow-covered mountain. Helen was awoken at night by a hyena’s loud cry, only to find his husband lying on his cot, dead.

Works Cited

Downie, Charles. ”Glaciations of Mount Kilimanjaro, Northeast Tanganyika.“Geological                   Society of America Bulletin 75.1 (1964): 3-4.

Hemingway, Ernest. The snows of Kilimanjaro and other stories. Simon and Schuster, 1995.

Maslow, Abraham Harold. ”Self-actualizing people: a study of psychological            health.“Personality (1950).