Final answer:
Ernest Hemingway's short stories 'The Killers' and '50 Grand' share themes of masculine agency, stoicism, and human endurance, all articulated through his minimalist style. The 'iceberg approach' to narrative in both stories implies much is left unstated, with critical elements of character and plot underlying the surface. This style reflects Hemingway's journalistic roots and his distinctive approach to fiction.
Step-by-step explanation:
Comparing Hemingway's Short Stories 'The Killers' and '50 Grand'
Ernest Hemingway, an iconic modernist American novelist, crafted stories with underlying complexities beneath their seemingly straightforward surface. Among his acclaimed works, 'The Killers' and '50 Grand' showcase Hemingway's signature minimalist prose with economic use of language reminiscent of his journalistic background. Both stories illuminate themes of masculine agency, the struggle of the Hemingway hero, and the moral ambiguity within human interactions.
In 'The Killers', we delve into a world where characters face imminent danger and the inevitability of death in a rather detached manner. Similarly, '50 Grand' explores the underbelly of boxing, where the protagonist grapples with the duality of integrity versus survival, much like the Hemingway hero's replacement of lost masculinity with a symbolic tool - as mentioned, a hunting rifle in Africa or a fishing rod in Upper Michigan. Both stories also reveal Hemingway's fascination with stoicism, human endurance, and the resignation to fate.
These narratives highlight Hemingway's 'iceberg approach', where the most significant aspects of the story remain beneath the surface with only a portion visible to the reader, requiring them to infer the deeper meaning. The minimalist style prompts questions about the unspoken history of the characters and their inner lives.
Hemingway's depiction of masculinity and struggle is not just limited to the protagonists; they also reflect on the secondary characters, demonstrating the complexity of human relationships. His subtle yet powerful critique of societal norms and human frailty becomes evident upon a closer examination of these stories' shared undertones and themes.