Analysis
The story “Now I Lay Me” by Ernest Hemingway mostly follows a non-linear plot structure, while including traditional narrative techniques like backstory and foreshadowing, and non-traditional narrative techniques such as dramatic dialogue.
The characters include Nick Adams as the main character, and John, Nick Adams’ orderly , as a secondary character. Nick Adams’ family, John’s family, and the other soldiers are also mentioned in the story.
The events take place somewhere in Italy, during World War I. The social setting explores topics such as war-related trauma and views on women, family, and marriage.
The events are described by the main character as a first-person narrator, who also shares his thoughts and feelings with the readers.
The story is told in a descriptive style, with plenty of symbolism that hints at the real meaning of the events. The language used by the narrator is not very complex; the story is told using a mix of narration in a stream of consciousness style and dialogue, which helps readers better understand the main character’s circumstances and state of mind.
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