The Intentional Death Of Francis Macomber Essay

, Research Paper

The Intentional Death of Francis Macomber

Ernest 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. (Hemingway 1402). What is also important is that Margot

and Francis have very different personalities. This is clearly

seen when the narrator states, (Hemingway 1402).

With this small amount of background information, the true motive

for an intentional killing can be found. This can clearly be seen

in the conversation of Francis Macomber after killing the buffalo

when he states, (Hemingway 1408. “(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 Hemingway 1409).

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 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.

*From this astute analysis of the two, Wilson shows the reader

several very important things. One is the fact, although somewhat

machiavellian, that over her husband. Another observation that I

somewhat important is the This is the cruelty that Wilson observes

in the passage above.This, as she would soon see, was not the

case.

One of the most important passages in the story occurs in the

moments just before Francis and Robert Wilson go into the bush

after the buffalo. After Margot fires the fatal shot, further

evidence is given by Robert Wilson that supports the assertion

that the killing was intentional Hemingway 1411). Wilson, who

seems to be accurate in his assessment of the relationship, seems

a credible witness to the killing and due to these facts, his

opinion as to the motive of the killing is credible to the reader

as well.. story.

*From all of the evidence given in the story, and from an objective

analysis of the conversation and narration, it is safe to makethe

assumption that the killings were indeed intentional. There is

simply not enough tangible evidence given in the conversation or

narration that would suggest otherwise assertion. A Character

Analysis of Francis Macomber From Hemingway’s “The Short Happy

Life of Francis Macomber”

In Hemingway’s The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber, the

author demonstrates his undeniable ability to bring characters to

life by introducing the reader in great detail to the main

character, Francis Macomber, through varying literary mechanisms.

The reader learns immense detail about Francis, as well as the

other two primary characters, Margaret and Mr.Wilson, through

creative description that includes each character’s thoughts,

their actions, and their reactions towards the events of the

story. Francis Macomber’s interior characteristics and impressions

are revealed through such omniscient statements as:

In addition, more details are revealed about the character of

Francis through the other principal characters and even through

the characters who play a very small role in the story (e.g., the

gun-bearers). For example, (p 250). By means of a combination of

this type of information, Francis Macomber’s character is changed

due to constant abuse from other characters, an inner struggle

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