Language
Style of writing
In his short story “Cat in the Rain”, Ernest Hemingway generally uses language that is easy to follow and understand. We also encounter several phrases in Italian in the story, which helps with characterisations and with creating a realistic setting:
‘Il piove,’ the wife said. She liked the hotel-keeper.
‘Si, Si, Signora, brutto tempo. It is very bad weather.’ (ll. 21-22)
Contractions are present in the dialogue. However, contractions are not used in the narration, helping to differentiate the two types of text :
‘I wanted it so much,’ she said. ‘I don’t know why I wanted it so much. I wanted that poor kitty. It isn’t any fun to be a poor kitty out in the rain.’
(...) She went over and sat in front of the mirror of the dressing table looking at herself with the hand glass. She studied her profile, first one side and then the other. Then she studied the back of her head and her neck. (ll. 51-55)
Similes
Two similes are used in connection with the main character. The similes convey her physical appearance by suggesting that she has short hair: “the...