How Is Masculinity In The Short Happy Life Of Francis Macomber

Masculinity is conveyed as the key to internal success, love, and power. In the short story, “The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber'' by Ernest Hemingway, masculinity plays a significant role in exemplifying masculine traits and how they contribute to aspects of life. The two leading male characters in the story: Robert Wilson, a professional hunter, and Francis Macomber, a wealthy man, work together to hunt animals throughout the safari of Africa. During these experiences, masculinity is shown through their eyes and reveals the association between masculinity and the sensation of internal success, love and power. The only female throughout the story: Margot Macomber, Francis’s wife, fights for power. Masculinity is communicated through

Therefore, Macomber is astonished by his actions, it results in him feeling physically ill. He is in disbelief as to why he has lost his bravery in hunting. He is letting this take complete control over himself (both mentally and physically) he is shaking and feeling nauseous. In fact, Macomber couldn’t think of a reason as to why he was losing his strength and masculinity. What has happened to him? Additionally, he feels the societal pressures, especially from his wife and Wilson, that are making him more confused as to why he is unsuccessful. He is embarrassed by himself and feels that since he can’t hunt, he isn’t truly a man, along with him no longer feeling successful. In his head he wants to maintain the perfect, wealthy lifestyle; although he feels a decline. Moreover, he continues to fight his inside voices, continuing to hunt. He wants to prove his masculinity to society and himself. In his mind: without masculinity, there is no such thing as success. Macomber and Wilson go hunting again Macomber feels like Wilson is belittling him because he doesn’t think he’s masculine

Macomber and Margot struggle with their relationship because Margot finds interest in Wilson due to his strong masculinity. Thus, Macomber is aware that if he becomes more masculine like Wilson, Margot will become attracted to him. He motivates himself to be just like Wilson; however, it becomes unhealthy, forcing himself to hunt – even though he fears it. After a day of hunting, Wilson did an amazing job and Macomber struggled due to fright. Margot is immediately attracted to Wilson, finding him such a strong man. She is astonished by Wilson’s masculinity: “Mr Robert Wilson, she said. The beautiful red-faced Mr. Robert Wilson.” (Hemingway 27) Margot comments on his red face, illustrating him as such a powerful man spending all day outside hunting. This makes Macomber feel like a coward and defeated. Hemingway constantly correlates the act of hunting with masculinity. Margot is so captivated by Wilson’s ‘manly’ traits it angers Macomber and instantly makes him insecure. Margot does not respect her husband as a man. She is ashamed of him. Macomber wants to feel loved just as Wilson. He wants to be viewed as a strong, brave man. He follows Wilson’s shadow, trying to act like him to feel loved by his wife. Margot enhances his insecurities, making him feel self-conscious. Macomber struggles with self doubt; he shows his compassion with wanting to fix the relationship and