Analysis

You can read a short overview of the analysis of “Soldier’s Home” by Ernest Hemingway below.

The story has a conventional structure. Sometimes stream of consciousness is used to suggest Krebs’ train of thought. Furthermore, the story is an example of Hemingway’s so-called iceberg theory. This means that the deeper meaning of the story is hidden beneath the surface, requiring interpretation from the reader.

The main character is Harold Krebs, a soldier who has returned to the US a year after World War I has ended. The narrative is focused on his thoughts and feelings about the war and about coming home. Other characters, such as Krebs’ mother and sister, are also relevant, since their interactions with Krebs highlight his lack alienation from society.

The events take place in Oklahoma, US. There are also a few references to the places where Krebs fought in Europe. The social setting focuses on the experiences of war and the psychological consequences brought on by traumatic events. The social setting also focuses on gender roles and on the community's attitude towards returning soldiers.

The short story is told by a third-person narrator. The narrator adopts Krebs’ point of view and has limited knowledge of what the other characters think or feel.

The language used is minimalist and concise, echoing the style adopted by Hemingway during his career as a journalist. Dialogue is used to offer further insight into Krebs and his relationship with other characters.

A full analysis of the short story can be found in the following pages.