Hemingway and the “Code Hero”

Set the Stage The time is post-WWI. Many people have called all of their value systems into question. Security of family Belief in one’s country, faith, or God Old schools of Western thought and Christian beliefs had still failed to stop the catastrophe that was WWI. This was the time author Gertrude Stein called “The Lost Generation.”

“The Lost Generation” Many writers found these post-WWI years to be without meaning. It was during this time that Hemingway crafted what is now known as the “Code Hero.” – This was a term coined by scholar Philip Young.

Who are the heroes? Who are some famous heroes in movies? Turn to the person next to you. Take turns back and forth naming movie heroes.

Number One Answer? Be Honest… …it was Atticus Finch, wasn’t it? http://www.filmsite.org/afi100heroesvilla.html

So what is the Code Hero? According to Phillip Young, the code hero is one who can: – “offer up and exemplify certain principles of honor and courage which, in a life of tension and pain, make a man a man and distinguish him from the people who follow random impulses [...] and are [...] perhaps cowardly, and without inviolable rules for how to live holding tight.”

Let’s Break It Down Code Hero Basics: Sound familiar? Usually masculine (with Hemingway – always masculine) Hard drinking – but never sloppy Loves hunting, sports, bullfights Doesn’t show emotions. Often has a war injury or some other physical or psychological wound. Honest and keeps promises. Sound familiar? What about Hemingway himself?

Discipline and Death Hemingway discards ideas of “bravery,” “courage,” etc., claiming that they are too abstract. – A man can be “courageous” in war but this does not mean he is courageous in all endeavors. Hemingway instead searches for absolute values – constants in everyday of every week. A code hero faces death with dignity, enduring physical and emotional pain in silence.

Why “Code?” The code hero is not just any Hemingway hero. A hero is a living breathing character that is essential to the story’s progression and development. The code hero represents an ideal that heroes try to live up to. Not just any “save the day” type hero

Win or Lose? Often times the code hero may be physically defeated in the story. However, he doesn’t lose. The code hero’s victory is a moral victory. The best example: Rocky Although Rocky loses the fight to Apollo Creed, he was able to go 12 rounds with the champion – losing the fight, but never giving up “Went the distance”

Time For Spanish Review How many people are in Spanish class right now? And you thought it would never pay off… What does “nada” mean? “Nothing”

The Nada Concept Along with facing death and adhering to a strict discipline, the Nada concept is something that the code hero is also known for. Nada = no external source outside of oneself can provide meaning or purpose. Includes facing death without hope of an afterlife Considered braver than cowering behind “false” religious hopes (remember – bravery in all aspects of life, not just some.

Nada and Night Night is a difficult time for the code hero because night implies the utter darkness that all men must face after death. Therefore, most code heroes are either afraid of the dark or avoid night by drinking, carousing, or staying awake. – It seems backwards, but by sleeping the hero succumbs to night time.

To sum it all up… After hearing all of this, can we think of anyone in movies or literature who best fits the role of a “code hero?” My answer: – James Bond

Any Questions?