Elements of Myth and Folklore in Hemingway's stories

Human dignity, morality, and the formation of human individuality through mental strife and the struggle against nature are often themes of Hemingway. In my research paper I will show how elements of folklore, myth, and fables support these themes in the stories "The Old Man and the Sea," "Indian Camp," "The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber" and "The Snows of Kilimanjaro." Through comparative analysis of these stories' underlying themes I will address initiation experiences …

…replicate the traditional pattern of hero's journey-initiation-return cycle, the hero's journey is completely- inspired; his initiation releases reservoirs of vitality needed by his disintegrating community; and his return restores to his community some wisdom that benefits its renewal". (11) Finally, Ernest Hemingway's heroes have different names they are fundamentally the same person, drawing from the same experiences. It is obvious that many of his stories have some ingredients common to variations of fables, folklores and myths.