Blog Entry #8 - Pages 205-221
This final selection of readings turned out to be simply shocking. Throughout this whole book you read about the love that Hemingway and his wife shared. They shared the love of Paris and the springtime. His wife was the rock that he leaned on when times were hard before he became successful writer. Her support for Hemingway never wavered and for this book to end the way it did left me with my jaw dropped. It shows us that no matter how great of a marriage someone has, if you do not work at it and remain fully committed each day of your lives, it can slip away with the snap of a finger. I believe that from the way the last chapter was written, Hemingway stills loves his wife and now lives with a deep regret of what happened between them. He recalls remembering the good times when they were "very poor and very happy."
Overall it was a very interesting book that offered a deep and intimate account of Hemingway's life. We were introduced to numerous key figures in his life and were provided explanations as to why they were such an influence on Hemingway's future success as a writer. Without a doubt though, I did not see the ending coming. It would have been the last thing I expected between Hemingway and his wife. Obviously Hemingway had some problems (gambling, drinking, etc) but commitment to his wife was not one I expected.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Blog Entry #7 - October 14th, 2012
Blog Entry #7 - Pages 175-206
This section of readings brings back Hemingway's dislike for the winter months. A large portion of this weeks readings covered the haircut story between him and his wife. He told this part of the story in a lighthearted but also serious tone because of his feelings towards the winter months. He was trying to bring back his hairstyle from his younger days but struggled with patience. I think this section of the book also reinforces the strong relationship that Hemingway and his wife share. She was willing to change her hairstyle with him. It was as if that was just something special that they could share together while the winter months passed by. I don't know, maybe that this wrong but that is what I got out of that particular chapter in the book.
During the last chapter of this weeks readings Hemingway talks a lot about his relationship with Bumby after he has grown up into a young adult. It seems as if they had a strong relationship where Bumby grew up respecting his father's work and writings. He also seemed to be very naive at this age because he was taking almost everything he heard as the absolute truth. A good example comes from when Bumby ordered a beer because Touton told him that a person needs to learn to control themselves. I expected Hemingway to be upset about this but strangely enough, he was not. Maybe it was because of his drinking habits?
This section of readings brings back Hemingway's dislike for the winter months. A large portion of this weeks readings covered the haircut story between him and his wife. He told this part of the story in a lighthearted but also serious tone because of his feelings towards the winter months. He was trying to bring back his hairstyle from his younger days but struggled with patience. I think this section of the book also reinforces the strong relationship that Hemingway and his wife share. She was willing to change her hairstyle with him. It was as if that was just something special that they could share together while the winter months passed by. I don't know, maybe that this wrong but that is what I got out of that particular chapter in the book.
During the last chapter of this weeks readings Hemingway talks a lot about his relationship with Bumby after he has grown up into a young adult. It seems as if they had a strong relationship where Bumby grew up respecting his father's work and writings. He also seemed to be very naive at this age because he was taking almost everything he heard as the absolute truth. A good example comes from when Bumby ordered a beer because Touton told him that a person needs to learn to control themselves. I expected Hemingway to be upset about this but strangely enough, he was not. Maybe it was because of his drinking habits?
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Blog Entry #6 - October 7th, 2012
Blog Entry #6 - Pages 143-174
This weeks readings gave us insight into the life of one of Hemingway's friends, Scott. It came across as a success story with this man. Hemingway talks about Scott's drinking problem and how he would attempt to write but alcohol was getting in the way and also hurting his family and marriage; both Scott and his wife had drinking issues. By the end of the chapter we seen the recovery from this issue and Scott began to reach his potential as a writer; much to Hemingway's delight.
We are also introduced to the strong friendship between the two. Zelda, Scott's wife had bothered him about a comment about not being able to please any other women. Scott confides in Hemingway and looks for honesty on a true personal level with his friend. I sensed that this may have been a very awkward time for Hemingway, understandably. Regardless, he gave Scott the best help that he could and the two went their separate ways for the time being.
This weeks readings gave us insight into the life of one of Hemingway's friends, Scott. It came across as a success story with this man. Hemingway talks about Scott's drinking problem and how he would attempt to write but alcohol was getting in the way and also hurting his family and marriage; both Scott and his wife had drinking issues. By the end of the chapter we seen the recovery from this issue and Scott began to reach his potential as a writer; much to Hemingway's delight.
We are also introduced to the strong friendship between the two. Zelda, Scott's wife had bothered him about a comment about not being able to please any other women. Scott confides in Hemingway and looks for honesty on a true personal level with his friend. I sensed that this may have been a very awkward time for Hemingway, understandably. Regardless, he gave Scott the best help that he could and the two went their separate ways for the time being.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Blog Entry #5 - September 30th, 2012
Blog Entry #5 - Pages 111-143 (Chapter's 15-17)
During this weeks assigned readings, we are introduced, in great detail, to Hemingway's love for skiing. I found this to be interesting because it gives us an intimate look into one of his favorite things to do with Hadley. Throughout this book we have been introduced to a variety of Hemingway's loves (most notably the horse racing), and now we have skiing as well.
I also liked how he talked about how when it was just Hemingway and his wife, the bad weather of Paris was not such an issue because you could just get used to it. But after they enjoyed their third member of the family you have more reason to leave once the fall season had passed. I believe this shows his love for his family above everything else.
Finally, in the chapter entitled "Scott Fitzgerald," it talks a little about Hemingway's development as a writer. The statement from the book saying that "it was very difficult, and I did not know how I would ever write anything as long as a novel. It often took me a full morning of work to write a paragraph." This is a perfect example of the growth of a writer over the years and how much development that can happen over the years.
During this weeks assigned readings, we are introduced, in great detail, to Hemingway's love for skiing. I found this to be interesting because it gives us an intimate look into one of his favorite things to do with Hadley. Throughout this book we have been introduced to a variety of Hemingway's loves (most notably the horse racing), and now we have skiing as well.
I also liked how he talked about how when it was just Hemingway and his wife, the bad weather of Paris was not such an issue because you could just get used to it. But after they enjoyed their third member of the family you have more reason to leave once the fall season had passed. I believe this shows his love for his family above everything else.
Finally, in the chapter entitled "Scott Fitzgerald," it talks a little about Hemingway's development as a writer. The statement from the book saying that "it was very difficult, and I did not know how I would ever write anything as long as a novel. It often took me a full morning of work to write a paragraph." This is a perfect example of the growth of a writer over the years and how much development that can happen over the years.
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Blog Entry #4 - September 22nd, 2012
Blog Entry #4 - Pages 79-110 (Chapter's 10-14)
This week's reading seemed to focus on the numerous acquaintances that Hemingway had. There were several instances throughout the reading's that Hemingway would have conversations with old writing friends. I got the sense that this was a time that might have troubled him because all of the interactions with old friends talked about how Hemingway and his family were still struggling with money, while his friends had been doing well and had found success.
The goodbye with Mrs. Stein was just simply odd. I was left wanting to know what the problem was. Not one of my favorite moments in this book honestly.
My attention was grabbed for a slight moment when Walsh was telling Hemingway about how he had won the award but turns out, like Hemingway suspected, Walsh was simply conning him and there was nothing to the supposed award.
I am looking forward to next week's readings!!
This week's reading seemed to focus on the numerous acquaintances that Hemingway had. There were several instances throughout the reading's that Hemingway would have conversations with old writing friends. I got the sense that this was a time that might have troubled him because all of the interactions with old friends talked about how Hemingway and his family were still struggling with money, while his friends had been doing well and had found success.
The goodbye with Mrs. Stein was just simply odd. I was left wanting to know what the problem was. Not one of my favorite moments in this book honestly.
My attention was grabbed for a slight moment when Walsh was telling Hemingway about how he had won the award but turns out, like Hemingway suspected, Walsh was simply conning him and there was nothing to the supposed award.
I am looking forward to next week's readings!!
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Blog Entry #3 - September 16th, 2012
Blog Entry #3 - Pages 47-78 (Chapter's 6-9)
I thought that this was one of the more interesting sections that we have read so far. It seemed as if we were able to learn a little more about Hemingway's life and get a better perspective into where this book is headed.
It seems from what I have read so far that Mrs. Stein is a very high pressure type of woman. What I mean is that she almost comes across that her way is the only way. Examples of this come from the chapter where Hemingway was trying to get her to talk about books and she basically shut down any of his opinions and tried to push her views on him.
I also enjoyed the chapter about his love for horse racing and gambling. It was interesting to read about how he got too involved with the races and had to step back for not only his own good, but also for his families own good.
Overall, I am enjoying the book to this point but I will be honest, I am having a difficult time following Hemingway. Maybe this is because I have never read any of his works before. I do believe that as I go along I am slowly starting to understand where he is trying to go with this story and I am adjusting to his style of writing as well.
I thought that this was one of the more interesting sections that we have read so far. It seemed as if we were able to learn a little more about Hemingway's life and get a better perspective into where this book is headed.
It seems from what I have read so far that Mrs. Stein is a very high pressure type of woman. What I mean is that she almost comes across that her way is the only way. Examples of this come from the chapter where Hemingway was trying to get her to talk about books and she basically shut down any of his opinions and tried to push her views on him.
I also enjoyed the chapter about his love for horse racing and gambling. It was interesting to read about how he got too involved with the races and had to step back for not only his own good, but also for his families own good.
Overall, I am enjoying the book to this point but I will be honest, I am having a difficult time following Hemingway. Maybe this is because I have never read any of his works before. I do believe that as I go along I am slowly starting to understand where he is trying to go with this story and I am adjusting to his style of writing as well.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Blog Entry #2 - September 9th, 2012
Blog Entry #2 - Pages 15-46 (Chapter's 1-5)
This weeks assigned readings introduced us to Ernest Hemingway and his story in "A Moveable Feast."
The story begins with him sitting in a Paris cafe struggling to find the motivation in his writing. The cold winter season has started to move in and I quickly learned that this was not Hemingway's favorite part of the year. He and his wife agree to leave Paris until the weather began to improve.
During the 2nd chapter the reader is introduced to Miss Stein. She is a very knowledgeable woman that Hemingway greatly respects. She has a very persuasive personality that allowed her to influence others when she wanted to. They develop a strong relationship.
Toward the latter half of this weeks readings we are introduced to Hemingway's love for the Spring months. It also becomes clear that him and his wife enjoy horse racing and spending time together. It puts aside their worries about money and life. The two spend a nice day/evening together at the races and enjoying a rather expensive meal at Michaud's restaurant at the end of Chapter 6.
This weeks assigned readings introduced us to Ernest Hemingway and his story in "A Moveable Feast."
The story begins with him sitting in a Paris cafe struggling to find the motivation in his writing. The cold winter season has started to move in and I quickly learned that this was not Hemingway's favorite part of the year. He and his wife agree to leave Paris until the weather began to improve.
During the 2nd chapter the reader is introduced to Miss Stein. She is a very knowledgeable woman that Hemingway greatly respects. She has a very persuasive personality that allowed her to influence others when she wanted to. They develop a strong relationship.
Toward the latter half of this weeks readings we are introduced to Hemingway's love for the Spring months. It also becomes clear that him and his wife enjoy horse racing and spending time together. It puts aside their worries about money and life. The two spend a nice day/evening together at the races and enjoying a rather expensive meal at Michaud's restaurant at the end of Chapter 6.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)