Ernest Hemingway

1. Ernest Hemingway Nada and the Code Hero

2. Nada y nada y nada… • We learned that Hemingway believed in a ‘code’ that starts with a basic principle: man has no control over his ultimate fate in a chaotic universe… • …This means that Hemingway reasoned that man cannot control his death. Death is certain. Man can only control how he confronts his fate and destruction. • So, if man is always confronted with the fact that he will die, his future may begin to seem like a whole lot of nothing or ‘nada’.

3. The power of nada • The Hemingway ‘code’ consists of ways in which a man can confront the realities of nada with dignity, and thus impose a measure of purpose, order, meaning, and value upon his life. • For Hemingway, dignity is the expression of true moral integrity, and it is the highest possible attainment of character. • Basically, dignity is self-control in the face of nada, destruction and death.

4. The Search for Value • Remember, Hemingway did not believe in God. He felt religion was just a way that people would comfort themselves about their impending death and destruction. • The “hero” in Hemingway’s stories must reject all traditional (religious or philosophical) explanations of the universe as false and misleading. • So what does the “hero” do when confronting death and destruction and a whole lot of nada?

5. What does the hero do? • He remains calm and confident, and accepts his fate. He may be destroyed, but he is never defeated. • Meaning : A Hemingway hero may die, but if he dies bravely, he is not ultimately destroyed.

6. THE ‘UNDEFEATED’ Each of these men faced defeat … sometimes even death. It is the way in which they faced defeat which allows them to be classified as a ‘code hero.’

7. Keep in mind • As you read the short story “A Clean, Well-Lighted Place” keep in mind that the following were important to Hemingway : • Confidence in the face of death • The concept of nada • Death and destruction as man’s ultimate fate