Analyse af Ernest Hemingways 'Soldier's Home'

»Soldier’s Home« by Ernest Hemingway was written in 1925 during the modernist era of English literature. This literary period stretched from 1901 to 1939, so this short story pops up right in the middle of the era. It is also said that Hemingway fell under the influence of modernist writers when he moved to Paris in 1921 with his first of his four wives.

The story line of »Soldier’s Home« covers a short description of the head character, Krebs’ life and thoughts after his returning from the war, under which he had been on duty overseas for two consecutive years (from 1917 to 1919). So the story is taking place during the inter-war period. The last part of the story covers a conversation between Krebs and his mother, who wants Krebs to start doing something with his life. A 3rd person narrator tells the text from the perspective of Krebs.

Krebs is having true difficulties conforming to society back in his hometown Oklahoma to where he has returned after having served his country during the war. When Krebs at one point finally finds himself feeling the need to talk about the war – a need that until this point had been absent – the surrounding people in his environment do not want to hear his stories. They have heard enough already from the other soldiers who came home 2 years ago, and besides that, they think that it was rather ridiculous for Krebs to return home so late.