Hemmingway's Writing Style - Research Paper Example

Download file to see previous pages His style can be assumed to have emerged as a reply to the crash of values after the First World War in the history of English Literature and hence introduced the world with a new and unique art of depiction. Hemmingway justifies his use of simple words and diction by saying, “I use the oldest words in English language when I write. People think I an ignorant bastard that doesn’t know ten dollar words. I know the ten dollar words. There are older better words and if you use them in the proper combination you make it stick” (Weeks 28). The various stylistic techniques that have been extensively used in Hemmingway’s writings include use of simple diction, precision in writing style and symbolism. 2.1. Simple Diction On the surface his works appear to be simple in form and diction and appear to be easily comprehensible. However an in-depth analysis of his works shows that every word that he uses holds essence of meaning not only within the context of the text but also it unveils an aspect of human nature. He is observed to be creating his works on his “iceberg principle”. ...
‘It’s not really an operation at all.’… ‘I’ll go with you and I’ll stay with you all the time. They just let the air in and then it’s all perfectly natural’” (215). This conversation is illustrated in the manner that a third person would perceive it as a normal exchange between two people yet the underlying meaning holds a lot of importance and has a great impact on the readers. Since the operation which is being referred to is an abortion which was a taboo topic in the earlier times. Moreover the subtext of the story also deals with the different views of men and women about pregnancy and the emotional states of the two characters. As Bloom and Becnel also state, “beneath the surface of this deceptively simple story there is an enormous amount of psychological and emotional maneuvering going on although everything is coded in subtleties and irony the two main characters manage to make their different perspectives on the woman’s pregnancy clear” (159). Hence this subtle maneuvering is in sync with Hemmingway’s ‘iceberg principle’. So it can be perceived that he believed in providing the readers with hints regarding the subject so his works are a combination of precision and laconicism. 2.2. Precision in Writing Style In both the texts Hemingway is observed to be utilizing the technique of precise and to the point conversations for the progression of the plot instead of hefty descriptions of the surroundings or use of many adjectives. As observed in Hills Like White Elephants that the plot of the text is revealed in the form of dialogue and the presence of the narrator is more or less absent from the text. Similarly in the novel as well in most ...Download file to see next pagesRead More