DWA 2013

The inspiration for a character in a short story can come from anywhere: other stories, modern day events, or in some cases-- from yourself. Writing is an escape, or a way to express your true feelings. Anyone with a hidden story would have a chance to share it, without it being directly laughed at, or without receiving the pity of those around you. Take Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald for example.

Ernest Hemingway was born in Oak Park, Illinois in 1899 (Ernest Hemingway Biography). He lived a relatively normal childhood, except for the fact his mother dressed him in matching clothes to his sister, and forced him to have long hair. Hemingway spent the rest of his childhood trying to prove his masculinity to his peers (Hemingway Childhood). Later, during his writing career he moved to Paris along with many other authors, such as F. Scott Fitzgerald (Wikipedia, F. Scott Fitzgerald). After his first few stories were published he became very rich, and very successful… He developed a love of bull fighting, and African Safari and animal hunts.  Leaving most surprised, he committed suicide in 1961 in his cabin in Idaho (Ernest Hemingway Biography).

In his short story “A Clean Well-Lighted Place”, the old man at the café is an image of himself. He describes the man as “sitting in the shadow of the leaves” yet in a “well-lighted place”. This symbolizes that he wants to be in the light, or happiness, but is struggling because of the shadows, or the depression. The old man attempted suicide -- something Hemingway later did.  Both the old man and Hemingway were searching for happiness, even when everyone believed they already had it. One of the waiters in “A Clean Well-Lighted Place” says, “He has plenty of money.” when asked why the old man shouldn’t be in despair. Many people probably thought this of Hemingway as well, although with all of his adventures—he appeared happy, and in the “light” -- just like the Old Man.

F. Scott Fitzgerald was born in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1896 (The Sensible Thing). His mother and father were very wealthy, until they became the unthinkable—middle class. Fitzgerald wasn’t then as well off as his peers, making him feel on the outside. Although that soon changed when he became the “cool guy”. He went to college at Princeton University, but was put on academic probation caused by his slipping grades and party habits (Wikipedia, F. Scott Fitzgerald). He later married Zelda, who had doubted his ability to support her (The Sensible Thing). Zelda suffered from a mental illness, and Fitzgerald was an alcoholic (Wikipedia, F. Scott Fitzgerald). But despite that all, the Fitzgeralds moved to Paris, with the same group as Hemingway. But due to his alcohol addiction, F. Scott Fitzgerald died of a heart attack in 1940 (The Sensible Thing).

In his short story “Bernice Bobs Her Hair”, Warren McIntyre is an image of F. Scott Fitzgerald. Warren who “casually attended Yale” and was “crazy” about Majorie, who had lived across the street from him. Both Warren and Scott wanted to live the party life, and get the best girl possible. Fitzgerald would do anything to get Zelda, he even took her back after she had doubted his abilities. While Warren did whatever Majorie wanted, to please her, even if it meant dancing with Bernice.  They both lived, or wanted to live an exciting expensive life, making Warren just like F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Although Hemingway and Fitzgerald have extremely different writing styles, they share one thing in common, along with most authors… They find their character inspiration in themselves, or sometimes in other people. The personality of both authors is put into the stories, which allows the reader to become more attached, and relief to the author. So sometimes, a character analysis is an author analysis without even knowing it.

Bibliography

Ernest Hemingway Biography. n.d. 6 May 2013. <http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/literature/laureates/1954/hemingway-bio.html>.

Hemingway Childhood. n.d. 5 May 2013. <http://www.shmoop.com/ernest-hemingway/oak-park-childhood.html>.

The Sensible Thing. n.d. 6 May 2013. <http://www.pbs.org/kteh/amstorytellers/bios.html>.

Wikipedia, F. Scott Fitzgerald. n.d. 6 May 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F._Scott_Fitzgerald>.