Before Hemingway, American writers tended to model their writing on the flowery prose of Britain and other nations. After Hemingway the true American language- laconic, diplomatic and precise- truly asserted itself within its' nations literature.
Yes, that's very true. They probably did model writing after British writers. Or maybe the style was just ubiquitous, I'm not familiar enough to say with much certainty.
I've tried, miserably of course, to copy his style. I've always marveled at his ability to tell a story so powerfully. Thanks for sharing! I hope all is well.
Wonderful to read this article- especially with your examples. The alluded-to gives readers trust and credit to understand; empowers the dialog by not being too wordy. No one wants dialog that feels like a lecture where you just want to say “get on with it”. But Hemingway does it with a natural rhythm and so in keeping with his character’s traits. I Read Hemingway first in middle and high school - just because. His dialog sometimes struck so hard and subtle - I remember having to set the book aside and just feel with it.
When I was student teaching, I kept bringing in Hemmingway because his work had been such a big part of the classwork I went through to get my degree. My mentor teacher was in his last year. He came up to me and said, "I like what you're doing. Hemmingway has kind of fallen out of style, but it's good that you're discussing him like you are." I hadn't realized that Hemmingway had fallen out of style. As for me, I can hardly read him anymore because all I see is "and...and...and...and...and..." but, as you point out here, there are passages that are sublime.
I think that's almost inevitable when a writer has a large body of work. Sometimes when I read Stephen King, I find myself wondering if the editor's pencil got less sharp as King's fame grew. But I sure do delight in finding those sublime passages and saying look, look at this.
I read Old Man and the Sea in ninth grade, and Snows of Kilimanjaro five years ago. After "Snows" and the Ken Burns series on Hemingway, I was relieved of the desire to read any more of him.
Before Hemingway, American writers tended to model their writing on the flowery prose of Britain and other nations. After Hemingway the true American language- laconic, diplomatic and precise- truly asserted itself within its' nations literature.
Yes, that's very true. They probably did model writing after British writers. Or maybe the style was just ubiquitous, I'm not familiar enough to say with much certainty.
I've tried, miserably of course, to copy his style. I've always marveled at his ability to tell a story so powerfully. Thanks for sharing! I hope all is well.
You are braver than me, Michael. I have never tried to copy his style. It's just not what bleeds from my fingers.
Wonderful to read this article- especially with your examples. The alluded-to gives readers trust and credit to understand; empowers the dialog by not being too wordy. No one wants dialog that feels like a lecture where you just want to say “get on with it”. But Hemingway does it with a natural rhythm and so in keeping with his character’s traits. I Read Hemingway first in middle and high school - just because. His dialog sometimes struck so hard and subtle - I remember having to set the book aside and just feel with it.
You said that well. Dialogue that's too wordy becomes a chore to read.
When I was student teaching, I kept bringing in Hemmingway because his work had been such a big part of the classwork I went through to get my degree. My mentor teacher was in his last year. He came up to me and said, "I like what you're doing. Hemmingway has kind of fallen out of style, but it's good that you're discussing him like you are." I hadn't realized that Hemmingway had fallen out of style. As for me, I can hardly read him anymore because all I see is "and...and...and...and...and..." but, as you point out here, there are passages that are sublime.
I think that's almost inevitable when a writer has a large body of work. Sometimes when I read Stephen King, I find myself wondering if the editor's pencil got less sharp as King's fame grew. But I sure do delight in finding those sublime passages and saying look, look at this.
Bravo.
Thanks Martin, that means a lot coming from you
" . . . the illusion of real speech." Exactly.
Thought provoking.
I have never read Hemingway. And always wanted to. Don't judge.
Thanks for this article, Linda!
No judging at all. Many only read his work because it was part of the school curriculum
As always, great examples Linda, and they have inserted themselves into my sub conscious where I hope they'll manifest themselves when needed.
I seem to remember he also said: "use words that can be understood by a sixth grader".
I read Old Man and the Sea in ninth grade, and Snows of Kilimanjaro five years ago. After "Snows" and the Ken Burns series on Hemingway, I was relieved of the desire to read any more of him.