Themes and Symbols in Hemingway’s “Soldier’s Home”
1. Introduction
Ernest Hemingway's "Soldier's Home" was written in 1924, when he was engaged in writing his stories about Nick Adams. The story is set in the years immediately following World War I and tells of Krebs's struggle to readjust to civilian life. Krebs finds that he is unable to experience the things that had once mattered to him and that he is out of step with the society around him.
Hemingway uses a great deal of dialogue in “Soldier’s Home”; in fact, almost half of the story is composed of dialogue. This gives the story a spare, realistic feel, as if we are overhearing a conversation rather than reading a fiction. Hemingway also uses few adjectives and adverbs, preferring instead to let the dialogue carry the emotion of the story.
The themes of “Soldier’s Home” include the need for humans to be part of a community and the difficulties that arise when one is unable to find or connect with that community. The story also explores the theme of disillusionment, as Krebs comes to realize that the values he held before the war no longer hold true for him.
There are several symbols in “Soldier’s Home”; among them are Krebs's medals, which he wears but does not value, and his job at the hardware store, which represents his lack of ambition and his feeling of being stuck in a rut.
2. Hemingway’s Use of Dialogue in "Soldier’s Home"
As noted above, Hemingway makes use of dialogue extensively in "Soldier’s Home." This gives the story a realistic feel, as if we are overhearing a conversation rather than reading a fiction. The dialogue also allows Hemingway to convey the emotions of his characters without resorting to adjectives or adverbs.
The first mention of Krebs’ experience in the war comes from a conversation between him and his father:
KREBS: But it was pretty bad over there after awhile.
FATHER: Yes, I imagine it was pretty bad.
KREBS: It got so there wasn’t anything to do except wait for bayonet practise or inspection or meals or fatigue duty or sleep? (Hemingway 53)
Through this exchange, we learn not only about what Krebs did during the war, but also about his emotional state during this time. We can sense his boredom and frustration, as well as his disconnection from what is happening around him.
Later in the story, Krebs has a conversation with one of his old friends from high school, Helen:
KREBS: I don’t know what’s wrong with me lately.
HELEN: Why?
KREBS: I just don’t seem to care about anything.
HELEN: That’s because you’re bored. (Hemingway 55)
Again, we see how Hemingway uses dialogue to convey his characters’ emotions. We can sense Krebs’ desperation and hopelessness, as well as Helen’s frustration with him.
3. Themes in "Soldier’s Home"
One of the themes of "Soldier’s Home" is the need for humans to be part of a community. Krebs finds that he is unable to connect with the people around him and that he feels out of step with society. This theme is explored through Krebs’ interactions with his family, his friends, and the girls he meets at the dances.
Another theme of the story is disillusionment. Krebs comes to realize that the values he held before the war no longer hold true for him. He is no longer interested in the things that once mattered to him, such as his job and his studies. This theme is explored through Krebs’ conversations with his father and Helen.
4. Symbolism in "Soldier’s Home"
There are several symbols in "Soldier’s Home," among them are Krebs' medals, which he wears but does not value, and his job at the hardware store, which represents his lack of ambition and his feeling of being stuck in a rut.
Krebs’ medals represent his experience in the war and his connection to it. However, they also represent his disconnection from the war and from society. He wears them but does not value them, which suggests that he is not able to process or make sense of his experience in the war.
Krebs’ job at the hardware store represents his lack of ambition and his feeling of being stuck in a rut. He has no goals or aspirations, and he feels trapped in his small town life. This symbolizes the larger theme of disillusionment that runs throughout the story.
5. Conclusion
In conclusion, "Soldier’s Home" is a story about Krebs’ struggle to readjust to civilian life after the war. The story explores the themes of the need for humans to be part of a community and the difficulties that arise when one is unable to find or connect with that community. It also explores the theme of disillusionment, as Krebs comes to realize that the values he held before the war no longer hold true for him. There are several symbols in the story, including Krebs’ medals and his job at the hardware store, which represent his connection to and disconnection from the war and from society.