Perspectives

Current issues

The short story “The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber” by Ernest Hemingway was written in 1936, and it deals with several controversial topics. 

The story features the activity of hunting for pleasure, also known as trophy hunting. For upper class, as well as for the author himself, this was a popular pastime around the time the story was written. Therefore, the activity did not hold the negative connotations it does today. Trophy hunting was introduced in Africa by the British Colonials in an era of plentiful wildlife. The lion was a particularly prized kill, especially one with a large mane. However, today, the number of lions has dropped significantly as a result of hunting. Although certain restrictions have been imposed on hunting, trophy hunting remains legal in most African countries. 

Animal cruelty is presented casually in the story, from t...