Reread the story. While you are reading, take notes and identify literary devices. Select a literary device or devices to analyze. Explain how the author’s use of this device is connected to the theme. You may choose to focus on one device throughout your paper or 3 different ones. You may also choose a device not listed below, as long as you can provide evidence to support it. Characterization (including motivation) “In Another Country” by Ernest Hemingway in one word
The word that comes to mind when reading "In Another Country" by Ernest Hemingway is "alienation." The story is layered with a sense of estrangement and disconnection, both within the characters themselves and in their interactions with others. Hemingway's masterful use of characterization, setting, and dialogue all contribute to this theme of alienation.
One literary device that stands out in this story is irony. Throughout the narrative, the characters find themselves in ironic situations that highlight their sense of isolation. For example, the American narrator is surrounded by fellow soldiers in the hospital who share his physical injuries but remains emotionally detached from them. This is evident when he states, "None of them went home. There was not really anything the matter with any of them [...] except that they had all been hurt." While the soldiers are physically wounded, the narrator feels a deeper emotional trauma that separates him from his companions, emphasizing his alienation.
Furthermore, Hemingway's use of characterization is crucial in conveying the theme of alienation. Each character is portrayed with a distinct personality, desires, and motivations, which contribute to their individual isolation. For instance, the major character, who is an Italian soldier, is driven by his ambition to become a successful fencer and win medals. However, his relentless pursuit of this goal sets him apart from his comrades and ultimately reinforces his sense of loneliness. The narrator observes, "I had always thought that him being a good fencer was the worst thing that could happen to him." This characterization reveals the alienating consequences of the character's driven ambition and the inability to connect with others on a deeper level.
Additionally, the dialogue in the story further enhances the theme of alienation. Hemingway's sparse but meaningful dialogue captures the characters' inability to communicate effectively with one another. The dialogue between the narrator and the major, for instance, is marked by short, abrupt exchanges. When the major shares his experiences of exploring the city during the war, the narrator reflects, "I was embarrassed. I did not like the way he made fun of the other men and then had talked about death, and how much he liked it, as if he were kindly explaining it to me." This exchange highlights the major's detachment from the narrator's emotional world and highlights the disconnect between them.
In conclusion, Hemingway's use of irony, characterization, and dialogue in "In Another Country" reinforces the theme of alienation. The characters' ironic situations, distinct personalities, and lack of effective communication contribute to the pervasive sense of disconnection and estrangement presented in the story. Through these devices, Hemingway provides a poignant exploration of the human condition, highlighting the universal experience of feeling isolated in a foreign landscape.