72 making her pretty and . . . by playing the situation for laughs”
(126, 137).
Questions on “The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber”
At the beginning of the story, in spite of the jubilation for the slaying of the lion, there are
indications that tell us that not all is well. Which are these indications?
How does Mrs Macomber (Margot) behave “bitchily”?
What character has a red face? Towards the end of the story Wilson defines his concept of courage by quoting
Shakespeare. What is the quotation and how do you interpret it?
What illegal action in hunting does Wilson commit when they are hunting for buffalo?
What is Wilson nationality?
How does Wilson define the type of women that Mrs Macomber represents?
Which is the incident that has shaken Francis Macomber’s confidence and made his wife
despise him?
Why did Hemingway title his story “The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber”?
What are the conflict and climax of the story?
After Francis Macomber behaves cowardly, what does his wife do to show her contempt
for him?
In spite of their clashes, the Macombers stay together. What are Francis’s reasons to do
so? What are Mrs Macomber’s reasons?
What’s the setting of the story? Could these events have taken place after the 1960s?
According to Hemingway’s philosophy of life, what does the character of Robert Wilson
represent? From what animal did Francis run away?
What do you think of Mrs. Macomber’s phrase when she praises Wilson’s shooting
skills: “That is, if blowing thing’s heads of is lovely.”
73
Hemingway describes accurately what went on or could go on in a hunt, but the hunt
goes beyond the events narrated and acquires a more significant meaning. What can you
comment on this?
How do you interpret this phrase: “Also he [Francis Macomber] had always had a great
tolerance which seemed the nicest things about him if it were not the most sinister.”
After hunting the buffalos, Wilson comments about Francis Macomber: “Fear gone like
an apparition. Something else grew in its place. Main thing a man had. Made him into a
man. Women knew it too. No bloody fear.” How do you interpret this comment?
Is the final event of the story an accident or murder? What is Wilson’s opinion? Explain
your answe
