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. Word Choice “In Another Country” by Ernest Hemingway examples from the story
Throughout the short story "In Another Country" by Ernest Hemingway, the author utilizes various literary devices, such as word choice, to emphasize the theme of the devastating effects of war on the human psyche.
One instance of word choice that resonates with the overall theme is the repeated use of the word "machines." Hemingway describes the medical equipment that the narrator and other wounded soldiers encounter as "machines" several times. For instance, the narrator observes, "The machines were to make so much difference," referring to the various devices used in their rehabilitation. By describing the medical equipment as "machines," Hemingway reduces the doctors' efforts to a mere mechanical fix. This dehumanization of medical care highlights the theme of the story by illustrating the impersonal and detached nature of war's impact on the individuals involved.
Additionally, Hemingway's word choice surrounding the physical appearance of the narrator and his fellow soldiers further reinforces the theme. The narrator admits, "We were all attached, with the exception of the major, who was somewhat apart, to machines and living in the dark." The use of the word "attached" not only refers to their physical connection to the machines but also implies a sense of emotional detachment. This detachment is further emphasized by the mention of them living in the dark, symbolizing the emotional darkness that has enveloped their lives due to their experiences of war.
Another example of Hemingway's deliberate word choice can be seen in his description of the soldiers' physical injuries. He describes one soldier's missing hand as "gruesome" and another's damaged legs as "foreign and white." By using these adjectives, Hemingway emphasizes the shocking and unnatural state of the soldiers' bodies. The word "gruesome" evokes a sense of horror and repulsion, highlighting the brutality of war. The use of "foreign" to describe the appearance of the soldiers' legs suggests that their own bodies have become unfamiliar to them, further emphasizing the theme of the disorienting and dehumanizing effects of war.
In conclusion, Ernest Hemingway's use of word choice in "In Another Country" effectively supports the theme of the devastating impact of war on the human psyche. Through the repeated use of words like "machines" and descriptions like "gruesome" and "foreign," Hemingway portrays the dehumanization and emotional detachment experienced by the wounded soldiers. By carefully selecting his words, Hemingway effectively conveys the theme and creates a powerful narrative that resonates with readers.