How Ernest Hemingway's Life Events Influenced His Work

American writer and journalist Ernest Hemingway was born on July 21, 1899, in Oak Park Illinois. As a world-class writer and journalist, he did not only confine himself to writing novels but also wrote many short stories and essays as well. Through his enchanting yet simplistic and direct writing, he has and will continue to inspire people throughout the ages.

Growing up, Hemingway lived with his father, a country physician who taught his son to fish and hunt. On the other hand, his mother was a very religious woman who had firm belief in god, leading to her son’s participation in music and choir. Hemingway's early years were marked by instances of arguing and conflict in the household; he would spend many of his days ignoring and arguing with his mom while striving to learn from his father. In the summer, he would visit his family in the woods of northern Michigan, often going out into the wild to hunt with his father. As Hemingway continued to build a strong relationship with his father, looking up to him as his greatest role model, his life soon came crashing down before his eyes; Ernest had discovered that his dad committed suicide, leaving an emotional scar that would never fade.

After experiencing his father’s self-inflicted death, Hemingway's view of the world had a was changed forever—and for the worse. Ernest realized his responsibility as a male to serve his country and was soon deployed in World War One. In war, Hemingway hated violence, believing it to be an unnecessary evil. As a result, he attempted to minimize his impact on killing others, and focused instead on healing and saving lives. He tried to station himself as a foot soldier but ended up being a nurse to the Italians on the front lines. When dispersing chocolate and cigarettes to his comrades one day, he was struck by Australian mortar fire and was severely wounded, taking huge impacts of shrapnel to his legs. After this near-death experience, Hemingway concluded that the times of war were worse than anything he or anyone else would ever experience.

After his recovery, the author continued his journey into Africa, and his lack of luck followed suit. He was injured several times during his adventures, even surviving many planes crashes with incredible luck. In 1954, he won the Nobel Prize in Literature as a result of prolific talent in writing. However, under the surface of his achievements and accolades, Ernest still suffered from depression, worsened by the severe health issues (high blood pressure and serious liver problems) that he had obtained over the years. Hemingway wrote much of his days in Paris and how he battled his mental health. Tragically, after surviving every obstacle that his life had thrown at him, he ironically ended up dying the same way as his father: suicide.

Ernest Hemingway was one of his kind. He published large volumes of rich writings, stories, and novels, forever leaving a legacy in literature. Ernest’s quotations were words of wisdom, filled with his own experiences throughout his life. One quotation that many can relate to is, “The best way to trust somebody is by trusting them,” in which Hemingway explains that trust is a two-way road, and the first step in developing a connection starts with yourself. Ernest Hemingway's words are filled with knowledge and are representations of more than just words; They express both the beautiful yet depressing life of a man that experienced everything and anything that the world had to offer.

Ernest Hemingway was more than just a very successful writer. With his works, he inspired many people and will continue to do so throughout the ages. He was very depressed and experienced much hardship throughout his life, much of which we as an audience of fellow human beings, can relate to. Issues of physical and mental health took a toll on his life, ultimately taking it away, foreshadowed by his very own words: “Every man's life ends the same way. It is only the details of how he lived and how he died that distinguish one man from another”. Even in death, Ernest Hemingway will live on in history and literature as a legendary writer, whose writing will continue to shape the lives of the many in our times, and times to come.