Language and style

Here we will discuss the language and style of writing of “A Day’s Wait” by Ernest Hemingway.

Language

The language used in the text is simple, explicative and concise. The author mainly uses vivid verbs and nouns, instead of adjectives and adverbs: “One was to bring down the fever, another a purgative, the third to overcome an acid condition. The germs of influenza can only exist in an acid condition, he explained.” (p. 139, ll. 21-23).

The sentences are long when the narrator depicts the setting, but very short when dialogue is employed. Furthermore, the dialogue is very realistic, reflecting the age of the characters:

“After a while he said to me, “You don’t have to stay in here with me,
Papa, if it bothers you.”
“It doesn’t bother me.”” (p. 140, ll. 15-17).

Style of writing

The text “A Day’s Wait” by Ernest Hemingway is written in a concise, minimalist, yet suggestive style. Except for few very brief descriptive passages, the text mainly relies on dialogue. “A Day’s Wait” is very representative of Hemingway’s style and his iceberg technique...