Understanding Hemingway’s, “The Short Happy Life of Francis Malcomber”

In Ernest Hemingway’s, “The Short Happy Life of Francis Malcomber”, Hemingway introduces us to three main characters; Francis and Margaret Malcomber and Robert Wilson. Too briefly set the scene, The Malcombers are on safari in Africa and Mr. Wilson is their hired hunter.  Hemingway’s description of the fine clothes and well to do manner of the Malcombers and the bold, macho detail of Mr. Wilson’s ensemble, gives a general theme of a seemingly heroic beginning.   The events of the Francis’s cowardly actions aren’t reveled until the middle of the story and give an uneasy start to the tension.  Margret’s wandering eyes on Mr. Wilson is realized because Francis inability to shoot the lion.  Mr. Wilson picks up on this uneasiness and has no remorse for Francis’s feelings.  He regards Francis as a “poor beggar” but justifies his own actions by professing his condemnation of how Francis lets his wife treat him.  Throughout the story, Margaret has no pity on Francis and shows genuine contempt and a lack of respect for him. When she is caught having an affair with Mr. Wilson, she shows no remorse. It seems to take very little to turn Margaret’s loyalty from Francis. Yet, they both realize that they need each other for their own selfish needs.  Margaret needs Francis’s money and Francis needs Margaret’s beauty.   Hemingway has this amazing ability to bring you into the action of the moment.  The hunting scenes are a great example of how he makes the reader feel as if they are apart of the hunting party; you are there, watching the lion come at you or chasing the buffalo down. When Margaret shoots Francis accidently, Mr. Wilson helps us question Margaret’s true motives.