27 pages 54 minutes read

Ernest Hemingway

The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber

Fiction | Short Story | Adult | Published in 1936

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Story Analysis

Analysis: “The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber”

The title foreshadows the story’s conclusion, making it clear that Francis Macomber will die. However, suspense and character development arise from questions of why his life is both short and happy. Initially, Macomber lacks the courage to make his life happier, just as he lacks the courage to confront the lion.

Despite the great wealth that permits him to fund his safaris, Macomber is initially depicted as emasculated, timid, and inadequate. His money can hire a huntsman and staff to manage his safari, but it cannot provide courage, his wife's respect, or security in his manhood. His wife, Margot, controls and belittles him. She tells Wilson that her husband’s “face is never red” (117); as implied in the subtext, unlike Wilson, Macomber obeys his wife's orders and wears his hat to keep the sun off his face. He is not sunburned because he is not rugged or adventurous, but sheltered, compliant, and cautious.

Further, Margot tells the men that “it’s [her face] that’s red today” (117), indicating her shame at the lack of courage her husband demonstrated by running from the wounded lion, leaving other men to finish his job and kill it to end its suffering and protect others from the beast.

Related Titles

By Ernest Hemingway

Study Guide
logo

A Clean, Well-Lighted Place

Ernest Hemingway

A Clean, Well-Lighted Place

Ernest Hemingway

Plot Summary
logo

Across the River and into the Trees

Ernest Hemingway

Across the River and into the Trees

Ernest Hemingway

Study Guide
logo

A Day's Wait

Ernest Hemingway

A Day's Wait

Ernest Hemingway

Study Guide
logo

A Farewell to Arms

Ernest Hemingway

A Farewell to Arms

Ernest Hemingway

Study Guide
logo

A Moveable Feast

Ernest Hemingway

A Moveable Feast

Ernest Hemingway

Study Guide
logo

A Very Short Story

Ernest Hemingway

A Very Short Story

Ernest Hemingway

Study Guide
logo

Big Two-Hearted River

Ernest Hemingway

Big Two-Hearted River

Ernest Hemingway

Study Guide
logo

Cat in the Rain

Ernest Hemingway

Cat in the Rain

Ernest Hemingway

Study Guide
logo

For Whom the Bell Tolls

Ernest Hemingway

For Whom the Bell Tolls

Ernest Hemingway

Plot Summary
logo

Green Hills of Africa

Ernest Hemingway

Green Hills of Africa

Ernest Hemingway

STUDY + TEACHING GUIDE
logo

Hills Like White Elephants

Ernest Hemingway

Hills Like White Elephants

Ernest Hemingway

Study Guide
logo

In Another Country

Ernest Hemingway

In Another Country

Ernest Hemingway

Study Guide
logo

Indian Camp

Ernest Hemingway

Indian Camp

Ernest Hemingway

Plot Summary
logo

In Our Time

Ernest Hemingway

In Our Time

Ernest Hemingway

Study Guide
logo

Old Man at the Bridge

Ernest Hemingway

Old Man at the Bridge

Ernest Hemingway

Study Guide
logo

Soldier's Home

Ernest Hemingway

Soldier's Home

Ernest Hemingway

Plot Summary
logo

Solider's Home

Ernest Hemingway

Solider's Home

Ernest Hemingway

Study Guide
logo

Ten Indians

Ernest Hemingway

Ten Indians

Ernest Hemingway

Study Guide
logo

The Garden of Eden

Ernest Hemingway

The Garden of Eden

Ernest Hemingway

Study Guide
logo

The Killers

Ernest Hemingway

The Killers

Ernest Hemingway