Initial Personal Reaction: Hemingway Soldier’s Homes - essentially, focuses in Harold’s (Krebs) lost of self-identity. I felt deeply sadden for him. Moreover, I felt as if I was with him, completely lost, detached from society, from reality, misunderstood, unappreciated, and people’s perception of the world. Simply, because he was a soldier and coming back to reality was a shocker for him. For the reason that, many people did not seem to appreciate nor care for the truth of the story, but were only fascinated with the lies he told. The irony of him ranting on about how he likes them (girls) but does not need to be with them, interest me. Furthermore, it demonstrates a great detail of confusion, lack of ownership to even his own thoughts, and the inability to show confidence in his own thoughts all portray, a lost soldier. Consequently, after reading this short story, I recall a time when I felt helpless to one of my family member, as a result, I started to feel lost and confused. In essence, I can relate to the sense of feeling lost and confusion.
Literary Element/Thematic Analysis: Granted, Harold (Krebs) is the protagonist of the short story. The tone of the story seemed sympathetic which draws the audiences attention, like myself, into the story. The part of this imagery “late summer, he was sleeping late in bed,” and spending “the hottest hours of the day in the cool dark of the pool room” all signifies laziness and unwilling to change. He liked the dark pool room. Moreover, dark room illustrates the meaning of waiting, waiting for something to happen. I interpret that he is waiting for something to happen, but he is lazy, and at the end of the short story girls are not worth the “trouble.” In other words, he wants the girl, but doesn’t want to work for it, and believes that girls are not worth the trouble.
Questions/Comments: After reading this short story do you think Krebs have a chance of finding himself again? Why or why not?:
