A Discussion of Hemingway, icebergs, and a proverbial elephant. HILLS LIKE WHITE ELEPHANTS
World Traveler Fearless Bold Fiercely independent An alcoholic A deep thinking, sensitive writer WHO IS ERNEST HEMINGWAY?
Hemingway is known for his short prose – his unique ability to write with few adverbs or adjectives Includes only the essential information Skips background, transitions, and tends to shun “he said” or “she said” Writing contains pronouns like “it” without clarifying what “it” refers to. Why did the chicken cross the road? Hemingway: To die. Alone. In the rain. WRITING STYLE??
“If a writer of prose knows enough about what he is writing about, he may omit things that he knows, and a reader, (if the writer is writing truly enough) will have a feeling of those things as strongly as though the writer had stated them. The dignity of movement of an iceberg is due to only one-eighth of it being above water. A good writer does not need to reveal every detail of a character or action. The writer who omits things because he does not know them only makes hollow places in his writing.” ICEBERG THEORY ( “SHOW THE READERS EVERYTHING, TELL THEM NOTHING.” ~ HEMINGWAY)
What do you think it means? The elephant is a metaphor for an issue, usually a really BIG issue that everyone is aware of…but no one wants to acknowledge or discuss. HEY, LOOK! THERE’S AN ELEPHANT…
SO…WHAT IS IT ALL ABOUT? Why are the man and Jig travelling? What is the purpose of their trip?
THINK ABOUT IT… White elephants Railroad tracks Green side of the station Arid side of the station Baggage Absinthe
TELL ME YOUR THOUGHTS… How would you describe the man? How would you describe Jig? What is their relationship? What does Jig mean when she says, “I don’t feel any way… I just know things? What has she realized? Why does Jig repeat the word “please” seven times?
What if the roles were reversed? Let’s try it… …are your opinions still the same?
What do you think Jig decides to do? What information do you wish Hemingway would have included? CURIOSITY
…REMEMBER…