The Short Happy Life of Frances Macomber

A detailed Summary of The Short Happy Life of Frances Macomber

That Which was Happy was Very Short in Duration

In Ernest Hemingway's story, "The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber," Francis Macomber, according to Hemingway, is a very unhappy man because of his cowardly display after facing a wounded lion and because of his inability to stand up to his wife. However, Francis Macomber regains his happiness, contentment, self-control and bravery while out hunting buffalo. At this point in time Macomber put his insecurities and shortcomings behind him. Unfortunately, his wife did the very same with his life with one short white flash. This story takes place in Africa. Francis Macomber, a wealthy man in his mid-thirties "very tall, very well built...and considered handsome" and his pretty wife Margot hire a guide named Mr. Wilson to take them on a hunting safari. (6) The Macomber marriage is one of codependence, based on wealth, beauty, control and leverage. (18)

Early on the very first day of the safari Macomber displays himself as a coward. The ordeal started the night before when Francis was awakened by the sound of a lion roaring, which frightened him for the rest of he night. In the early morning Francis, Margot and their guide Robert Wilson go out to hunt for this lion. After coming

After Margot fires the fatal shot, in response to the killing Mr. Wilson states, "That was a pretty thing to do, he would have left you too" (28). Wilson, who seems to be accurate in his assessment of the relationship throughout the story, seems a credible witness to the shooting and due to these facts, his opinion as to the motive seems credible as well. What is also notable after the shooting is the fact that Margot never denies that it was intentional. Also ironic is that Wilson has the most control in the end of the story. This can be seen in the last few lines when Margot literally has to beg him to stop tormenting her about killing Francis. When she finally says please, Wilson agrees to stop.

upon the lion, Francis shoots at the lion three times, hitting it twice and only wounding it. The wounded lion went trotting off into the tall grass, hiding and waiting for the hunters to come after him. Before the men go in after the lion, Macomber sat, "sweating under his arms, his mouth dry, his stomach hollow feeling, wanting to find the courage to tell Wilson to go on and finish off the lion without him." (16) As the men enter the tall grass, the lion came charging at them. The next thing he knows, Macomber is "running wildly, in panic in the open, running towards the stream." (17) Wilson finishes the lion off with two shots from his rifle. Unfortunately for Francis, his wife has seen the whole ordeal. All Francis could think about was facing the torment of his wife. Francis knows with certainty that as long as he posses this fear his wife posses a controlling power over him. Immediately upon returning to the vehicle Mrs. Macomber kissed the "beautiful red faced Mr. Wilson" on the mouth in front of her husband. This was Mrs. Macomber's way of displaying her disappointment in her husbands cowardice and her approval and respect for

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1244
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English