Macomber Essay Research Paper The Intentional Death

Macomber Essay, Research Paper

The Intentional Death of Francis MacomberErnest Hemingway has created a masterpiece of mystery in his story “The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber”. The mystery does not reveal itself to the reader until the end of the story, yet it leaves a lot to the imagination. At the end of the story Margaret Macomber kills her husband by accident, in order to save him from being mauled by a large Buffalo while on a safari in Africa. The mystery is whether or not this killing was truly accidental, or intentional. If it was to be considered intentional, there would certainly have to be evidence in the story suggesting such, with a clear motive as well. What makes this mystery unique is that Hemingway gives the reader numerous instances that would lead the reader to devise an acceptable motive, yet human nature tells the reader that this killing could not have been intentional. From a purely objective analysis of the story, the reader would see far more evidence supporting the theory of an intentional killing rather than an accidental one. The clues supporting the idea that Margaret killed Francis intentionally can best be seen when observing and studying the background information on both Francis Macomber, and Margaret herself. The marriage between the two is summarized in the statement, “Margot was too beautiful for Macomber to divorce her and Macomber had too much money for Margot ever to leave him.” (Hemingway 1402). Both were dependent on each other, which is what made the relationship strong. What is also important is that Margot and Francis have very different personalities. Margot is a very controlling person. Her marriage and relationship with Francis Macomber is dependent on this fact. Margot must have complete control over her husband in order to keep the relationship at an equilibrium. Francis needs Margot because, as Margot herself has accurately observed, he could not find another wife if Margot were to leave him. This is clearly seen when the narrator states, “If he had been better with women she would probably have started to worry about him getting another new, beautiful wife; but she knew too much about him to worry about him either.”(Hemingway 1402). With this small amount of background information, the true motive for an intentional killing can be found. As Margot witnesses the elation, bravery, and sudden independence that Francis Macomber derives from his valiant pursuit and killing of the buffalo, she witnesses the loss of control over her husband that is so essential to their relationship. This can clearly be seen in the conversation of Francis Macomber after killing the buffalo when he states, “You know I don+t think I+d ever be afraid of anything again….Something happened in me after we saw the buff and started after him. Like a dam bursting. It was pure excitement.” (Hemingway 1408). If Francis lost all fears, as he supposedly does after killing the buffalo, then there is a great chance that he could afford to loose Margot. His newfound bravery could be put to use in finding another wife. This was very disagreeable to Margot, and can be clearly discerned from her remarks when she replies to Francis about his performance with the buffalo. Francis ask her, “Wasn+t it marvellous, Margot?+ and she replied, +I hated it,…I loathed it.”(Hemingway 1408). It was at this point in which Margot saw her control over her husband, control which had lasted for so many years and was so essential to the relationship, begin to vanish. Clearly, to Margot, the relationship as she had known it was about to come to an end, and she was now on the loosing side. The equilibrium in the relationship had been destroyed. Margot+s initial reaction to this was very predictable; she tried to play down the event by stating, “You+re both talking rot…Just because you+ve chased some helpless animals in a motor car you talk like heroes.”(Hemingway 1409). Robert Wilson, the guide on the hunt, gives the reader an outside perspective into this complex and troubled relationship. In response to the quote above Wilson states, “Sorry….I have been gassing too much.” and following it, “She+s worried about it already, he thought.”(Hemingway 1409). Wilson has accurately interpreted the status of the relationship and it is he who, by the end of the story, gives the reader more evidence as to the true motive for Margot killing Francis. Robert Wilson seems to be right in his descriptions of the couple, and their relationship throughout the story. If this is true, and none of his presumptions about the couple are false, then he gains more credibility towards the end of the story. It is at this point that he becomes the advocate of Margot+s actions, despite the fact that they were intentional. It is Wilson that gives the reader the best description of the relationship between Francis and his wife. It is his insight into Margot, however, that is the most detailed, and which seems to suggest that she might be capable of such an act. Wilson gives the reader a lucid account of his impression of Margot+s reaction to Francis+s cowardice by stating:

So, Robert Wilson thought to himself, she is giving him a ride, isn+t she? Or do you suppose that+s her idea of putting up a good show? How should a woman act when she discovers her husband is a bloody coward? She+s damned cruel but they+re all cruel. They govern, of course, and to govern one has to be cruel sometimes. Still, I+ve seen enough