The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber - Essay Example

According to the discussion, exotic safari in Africa with accurately shown wild and brutal action and survival of the fittest with men dominating the nature by force metaphorically represents gender struggle over the marital dominance. Francis’s cowardice brings a cause for Margot to step up and show her power over him. Wilson is a third force and a man Hemingway admires. Wilson lives up to his own moral codex. He despises Francis after his cowardice but praises him later when Francis finally establishes himself as a man in his own eyes and in the eyes of two other characters.

This paper discusses that during the second hunting tour all characters pursue buffalos. The situation with lion repeats itself with one buffalo going into bushes wounded but not killed. In the bushes where it is harder to see and move beast can attack easier. It needs to be finished off. Before this becomes known some massive character development and an identity metamorphosis happens with Francis who to his own wonder feels fear no more. This change is noticed by both Margot and Wilson but their reactions differ.

Wilson is happy for the courage, energy, and power that Francis felt during a speedy hunt for buffalos in a vehicle. This is also backed up by accurate shots that Francis made killing buffalos. Margot, on the other hand, feels that she quickly loses her gained authority and dominance over the husband.