Characters

The main characters in the short story “The Snows of Kilimanjaro” by Ernest Hemingway are Harry and Helen. While on a safari in Africa, Harry is injured and develops gangrene. It soon becomes obvious that he is going to die, even though Helen tries to persuade him to keep fighting, hoping that the plane will arrive in time to take him to the hospital.

In the relationship between the two of them, Helen is the one who gives Harry everything, including money and emotional support. Harry relies on her entirely, but also resents her for being rich. Although Harry seems to be in conflict with Helen, it is his inner conflict that makes him resent Helen, as he realizes now that he has wasted time instead of writing the things he had planned to write.

You can read a full characterization of Harry and Helen in the following sections.