The Theme Of Love In Hemingway's 'Up In Michigan'

Coates, a young girl who works in the kitchen at D.J. Smith 's, the place where dines Jim Gilmore, Canadian and a town blacksmith. Liz feels strong affection towards Jim but throughout most of the story he seems not to notice it. One day Jim, D.J. Smith and Charley Wyman set off for deer-hunting trip. The hunting was successful and after their return, the men were drinking at D.J. Smith 's, observed by Liz. Jim was drunk, he entered the kitchen and started to touch her. The young girl was shocked because it was her first experience with a man. Jim suggested going for a walk, down to the warehouse on the dock, where he insisted on having sex with Liz. She did not want it, so the whole accident ended in rape. When Jim was finished, he felt asleep on top of Liz. Surprisingly, the girl covered him with her coat, kissed his cheek and walked away.

After finishing the story, a reader may have a feeling that Hemingway has deroman-ticized love completely. “Up in Michigan” touches upon issues of innocence, experience, obsession and mostly romantic disillusion. Hemingway has outlined very clearly roles of a man and a woman, so it can be assumed that the story also concerns gender roles. Jim likes spending time outdoors and he enjoys 'manly ' pleasures in 'manly ' companion; in this case it is hunting and drinking. What is more, his character is very independent. On the other hand, Liz seems to be rooted in the kitchen at D.J. Smith 's. She may not be subservient but definitely is