The Killer by Hemingway

Thekiller

Introduction

The killer is Hemingway short stories which clearly outline various themes such as death, disillusionment, courage, and futility. Nick Adams is the autobiographical narrator in all the short stories series and feels disappointed by the act of heroism that he performs. The town of Summit was invaded by two killers who had targeted to kill Ole Andreson who was the former boxer of Chicago. In the process, some Nick and other people were held hostage in the dinner. Nick, however, put his life at risk when he went to alert Andreson of the presence of the killers in the hotel. Nick returned to the dinner worried and depressed when he thought of the impending death of Andreson who was not even surprised to hear the news. From the statement, "Just a bright boy," Max said. He leaned forward and took the ham and eggs. Both men ate with their gloves on. George watched them eat”, from this they were concluded to be criminals.

In this story, Nick Adams portrays the theme of disillusion and heroism when he does not care about himself but rather puts his life in danger, but his courage makes no change. According Hemingway in the short stories he critic that Adams is an adolescent while the killer refers to him as a bright boy and he terms it as a mistake to insinuate that Nick has not yet acquired his manhood. A conflict came up when the killer left since George was requesting Nick to warn Anderson while Sam stopped him from doing it. Nick showed courage when he decided to go even when he knew it was risky for him. This clearly showed that Nick was a real man and not an adolescent boy. Sam ironically suggested that little boys always know what to do at all time. Through this Sam was alleging that Nick should stay out of Andreson path of the predicament for his safety. Sam tries to allude that Nick was making a foolish decision although he was courageous. However, Sam foolishness was an act of strength to Hemingway.

Anderson expressed no alarm to the killers, and this showed that he would be gunned down without any struggle this was a tragedy. However, Nick selfless act of heroism was futile since Anderson took no action of preventing himself from dying.  Nick returned back to the diner, filled withdisappointment. George consoled by Nick advising not to think hard about it. Sam neither gives a damn nor does he want to hear anything about Anderson. According to Nick, Anderson's dilemma was unjust, and this vividly crossed his mind unlike the rest of his friends. The dismaying part is when Nick thought not only about the fate of Anderson but also how he could have put his life in danger for nothing. Hemingway referred this to a disillusioning moment when a young courage boy endangers his life, but his sacrifice was in vain. Nick and other Hemingway's protagonists viewed the world to be unjust and this depressed them.