Francis Macomber

Outer characterization

Francis Macomber is a main character in the story “The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber” by Ernest Hemingway. He is an upper-class American. He is “very tall (…) dark, his hair cropped like an oarsman, rather thin-lipped and was considered handsome” (p. 1, ll. 49-51). He is 35 years old (p. 1, l. 53). He is fit and good at court games. His hobbies include fishing (p. 1, ll. 53-54), shooting ducks, riding motorcycles, and reading (p. 11, ll. 23-25). He is very rich (p. 11, l. 20-21). He has been married to Margaret for 11 years (p. 1, l. 32). He is killed at the end of the story by a shot from Margaret’s rifle.

Inner characterization

At the beginning, Macomber appears cowardly and immoral. He hires Wilson, a professional hunter, to help him, and takes advantage of his skills to take credit for the animals ...