Themes and message

Initiation and growing up

One of the main themes of Hemingway’s short story “Indian Camp” is initiation and growing up. Initiation has to do with the introduction to new life stages as you grow up. 

This theme relates to the main character, Nick, and his psychological development. In the course of one night in the Native American camp, he witnesses the clash of two cultures as well as the violence of both childbirth and suicide.

In the beginning of the story, Nick is still an innocent and naive child. We see this from his father’s protectiveness as Nick nests in his father’s arm in the boat. However, by being taken to the Native American camp, Nick is exposed to a different lifestyle and culture which must be fundamentally differet from the privileged one he is use...