Ernest Hemingway was one of the most recognizable and influential authors of the 20th century. Known for his straightforward writing style, Hemingway was often credited with the invention of a new approach to writing—the art of simple storytelling. This approach is marked by thoughtful use of language, condensed phraseology, and vivid declarative sentences. In his writing, Hemingway captured the real emotions of everyday life in a way that resonates with readers on a deeper level. So let’s take a look at the life, works, and style of Hemingway and explore the art of simple storytelling.
Early Life and Development
Ernest Miller Hemingway was born in Oak Park, Illinois in 1899. The son of a doctor and nurse, Hemingway was exposed to a unique mix of medical, creative, and religious influences in the home. From an early age, he was passionate about words, writing poems and imitating the works of writers he admired in his spare time.
After graduating from high school at age 17, Hemingway worked as a reporter for the Kansas City Star and began writing novels and stories in his free time. In 1922, he married fellow writer Hadley Richardson, moved to Paris, and began a career as a writer and foreign correspondent for the Toronto Star. It was in Paris that Hemingway developed his writing style by experimenting with a more straightforward, streetwise tone of voice.
Writing Style
Hemingway’s signature writing style is characterized by its simplicity and directness. He was known for using short, declarative sentences and cutting back on needless adjectives and adjectives. “I always try to write,” Hemingway wrote, “on the principle of the iceberg. There is seven-eighths of it underwater for every part of it that shows.”
This minimalistic style of writing focused on the understated implications of a certain situation or character. This enabled Hemingway to capture the real emotions of his characters. His style had a strong visual element to it, as his carefully chosen and exact words created scenes that animated themselves in the minds of readers.
Influence on Other Writers
The influence of Hemingway’s writing style is evident in the work of modern writers across the world. His use of terse, honest dialogue has been appropriated by novelists and screenwriters alike, from Cormac McCarthy to Quentin Tarantino. His influence can also be seen in the works of journalists and non-fiction authors, such as Joan Didion, whose works use Hemingway’s style to discuss current events and culture.
Many other authors have tried to emulate Hemingway’s style, but few have been able to replicate the unique, soundless music of his sentences. His writing style has been described as an art form, and for good reason—his words and sentences never feel overly contrived or didactic, but rather vibrate within the reader powerfully and quietly.
A Sample of Hemingway’s Work
One of Hemingway’s most popular works is the novella The Old Man and the Sea. Set in Cuba, the story follows the trials of an old fisherman, Santiago, who embarks on an epic journey and encounters a giant marlin. This classic story captures the essence of life through an honest, frank mixture of dialogue and action, and reflects Hemingway’s writing style at its best.
The story begins with Santiago sitting on the shore, watching a giant marlin out in the open sea. Hemingway skillfully conveys the emotions of the old man and paints a striking yet simple picture of the sheer size of the marlin:
“It was further out than any other lure and it looked like something a bird would fly to in the night and never be seen again. It was a small thing that he pushed out in the current and then let it float.”
Hemingway was a master of simple story telling—he could take a few words and convey a lifetime of emotion. His minimalistic writing style inspires modern writers across the globe and continues to be a guide for many of today’s writers. From his epic stories to his honest depiction of everyday life, Hemingway will always leave his mark on literature.
