Language

The language of “The Doctor and the Doctor's Wife” by Ernest Hemingway is simple, explicit, and colloquial. Explicitness is a typical feature of Hemingway’s style of writing and is noticeable in the narrative passages: "…Eddy carrying the long crosscut saw. It flopped over his shoulder and made a musical sound as he walked. Billy Tabeshaw carried two big cant-hooks. Dick had three axes under his arm." (ll. 4-6)

Colloquial and pejorative (damaging or derogatory) words and phrases are predominant in the dialogue passages and are meant to convey the aggressiveness of the characters and the tension between them: " ‘If you think the logs are stolen, leave them alone and take your tools back to the camp,’ the doctor said. His face was red. ‘Don't go off at half cock, Doc,’ Dick said." (ll. 50-52)

At one point, antiquated (old-fashioned) English is used as the Doctor’s wife quotes from her Bible: " ‘Remember, that he who ruleth his spirit is greater than he that taketh a city,’ said his wife." (ll. 81-82)

Dialogue and narration are used proportionally, and the overall language remains straightforward and factual. Imagery is used sparingly and is mostly related to actions/movement rather than to a static setting:

…the crew of the Magic would come along the shore in a rowboat, spot the logs, ...