The Snows of Kilimanjaro

Ernest Hemingway was known to put his own life experiences into his work.  He had a life of great adventure and this allowed him to create genuine stories that seemed as if they were real.  “The Snows of Kilimanjaro” is a great example of Hemingway bringing his own experience to a story. 

Although Hemingway did not officially make this story an autobiography, he could have easily done so.  There are numerous similarities between the main character, Harry, and Hemingway.  In this story, a writer named Harry was on a safari in Africa with his wife Helen when he received minor cuts.  By not treating them they had become infected.  Being in a remote location there was no help available and the plane that was supposed to pick them up was late.  This situation closely resembles a safari Hemingway and his wife, Pauline Pfeiffer, took to Africa.  Hemingway was severely injured in a plane crash.  Luckily Hemingway was more fortunate than Harry and lived to tell the story. 

                While injured, Harry reminisces about his life and all that he has done.  He spends much time discussing his time in Paris which he seems to cherish.  Hemingway also spent several years in Paris where in many ways he became the writer that he is considered today.  Harry regrets not writing about many of his experiences and fears he will not have the chance to do so.  Hemingway, on the other hand, wrote about much of his life.  I believe this is an insight into Hemingway’s fear of someday not being able to write about a part of his life.  Perhaps this is why he did write so much about his experiences. 

Harry, like Hemingway, was no stranger to woman problems.  He married Helen but has since fallen out of love with her.  He resents her for her money and the way she was raised.  He feels as though she is very boring.  He does, however, admit to the fact that she is a good woman.  At the time he wrote this Hemingway was married to Pauline, who also was very wealthy.  I wonder if perhaps Hemingway and Pauline had similar conversations while he was injured in the plane crash. 

                The story ends with Harry being rescued by the pilot, at least that’s what Hemingway leads us to believe.  As it turns out Harry has passed away in the night and this seems to be Hemingway’s interpretation of heaven, which for Harry is Kilimanjaro.  Hemingway reveals the truth to us at the end though when Helen discovers that Harry is gone.

Although knowing Hemingway’s biography is not a requirement to reading “The Snows of Kilimanjaro”, I believe that it gives the reader a far greater understanding and appreciation for Hemingway’s work.  In addition to being a very good story, I believe “The Snows of Kilimanjaro” offers great insight into the mind of a literary genius.