Characters

The main characters in the short story “A Very Short Story” by Ernest Hemingway are the soldier and Luz. The two begin a romantic relationship while the soldier is in hospital in Padua, most likely after being wounded in the war. They hope to renew their relationship after the war is over, and they want to get married. However, after the armistice, they have a conflict about their future life which highlights their different expectations about their relationship. 

Separation puts a further strain on their relationship as Luz remains in Italy while the soldier returns to America to get a good job. Luz hopes to be married to the major of an Italian battalion, so she writes a letter to the soldier, ending their relationship. However, they both end up experiencing disappointment and disillusionment. 

You can read a full characterization of the soldier and Luz in the following sections.