Themes

The short story “Three Shots” by Ernest Hemingway explores two main themes – the theme of manliness and independence and the theme of coming of age.…

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Manliness and independence

The theme of manliness and independence is illustrated by the three characters in the story. Nick, a young boy, is taken camping in the woods by his father and uncle. The two adults are symbols of manliness and independence, who Nick admires and looks up to. When the boy is trusted with the rifle, his own manliness and courage are at stake, as the boy needs to demonstrate his father and uncle that he is strong enough to survive a few hours without them in …

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Coming of age

Traditionally, the term “coming of age” refers to a child’s transition into adulthood and maturity. Coming of age can happen in physical or mental terms, and it can happen at different times for different people. In Nick’s case, the theme of coming of age is explored through the boy’s sudden realization of the existence of death and mortality:

Then suddenly he was afraid of dying. Just a few weeks before at home, in church, they had sung a hymn, ‘Some day the silver cord will break.’ While they were singing the hymn Nick had realized that some day he must die. It made him feel quite sick. It was the first time he h…