Analysis of “The killers” by Ernest Hemingway

1. AUTHOR’S CONTEXT

"The Killers" is a short story by Ernest Hemingway, published in 1927.

In the 1920s, organized crime was at its peak during Prohibition. Chicago was the

home of Al Capone, and Hemingway himself spent time in Chicago as a young man.

2. GENRE

It’s a short story from the genre of drama.

Fiction

Fiction is narrative writing that originates from the author’s imagination. It is designed
to entertain, but it can also inspire, inform, or persuade.

3. THEMES

 Loss of Innocence.

 Acceptance of Death.

 Loss of meaning/purpose.

 Masculinity.

 Things not appearing as they seem.

4. CHARACTERS

This work of literature features more than one main characters, the manager George,
the customer Nick, the two mysterious men, the Swede, but during the second part of
the story, Nick Adams becomes the real protagonist. He’s also a kind of hero, who
faces a conflict and rises above it to bring about the happy ending.

Nick Adams is a round character. He has internal conflict and undergoes a significant
character development. At the end of the story he experiences mental and emotional
changes.

Nick Adams: He is in Henry’s diner talking to George when two hitmen come in and
take them hostage.
George: He is the manager at Henry’s diner. His age and background are unknown,
but his paternalistic way of talking to Nick and giving him directions indicates that he
is older and more experienced than Nick.

Ole Andreson: He is a former prize-fighter now living in a boarding house in a small

town outside of Chicago. For unexplained reasons, two killers are sent to kill him.

There are two antagonists in this short story. The killers are the villains who cause
conflict or chaos in the story. The two killers don’t change throughout the story. They
conform to a stereotype. These two characters can also be defined as stock
characters, a type of character used in fictional works that is instantly recognizable to
audiences. 

Al: He is one of the hitmen who takes George, Nick, and Sam hostage in Henry’s

diner. Al guards Nick and Sam with the same gun he plans on using to kill Ole. 

Max: He is the other hitmen who takes over Henry’s diner and hold George, Nick,
and Sam hostage. Max stays in the front of the diner and talks to George. Max is
more aggressive and talkative than his partner.

Minor characters: These are the other characters in a story. They are not as
important as the major characters, but still play a large part in the story. Their actions
help drive the story forward. They may impact the decisions the protagonist or
antagonist make, either helping or interfering with the conflict.

Sam: He is an African-American cook at Henry’s diner.

Mrs. Bell: She looks after the rooming-house building for Mrs. Hirsch who is the
owner.

The irate customer: He comes into the diner asking for dinner but becomes upset
when George tells him he can't eat there.

A streetcar motorman: He stops at the diner to ask if he can get something to eat.
When he is told that the cook Sam has gone out, he says he needs to get going and
leaves.

The to-go sandwich man: He comes in and George goes into the kitchen and
makes him a ham-and-egg sandwich which he takes to-go.

The narrator: There is also a third-person narrator with limited information about the
characters' feelings and thoughts. This perspective gives the reader a sense of being
in the moment with the characters. Readers don’t know what people are thinking or
where they are unless the narrator says it. The narrator doesn’t pass judgment on
any of the characters.
5. LITERARY DEVICES

- Repetition: “bright boy” (the same term is used several times)

- Irony: “The town’s full of bright boys”, Max said.

“Little boys always know what they want to do. He said”

Imagery: “Why don’t you tell him?” Al’s voice came from the kitchen. (hearing)

“The cook felt the corners of his mouth with his thumbs” (touch)

“Outside was getting dark. The street lights came on outside the windows”

(sight)

Metaphor: “he was like a photographer arranging for a group picture”

“In their tight overcoats and derby hats they looked like a vaudeville

team”

Simile: “I got them tide up like a couple of girl friends in the convent”

Paradox: “He is an awfully nice man”

6. LANGUAGE FOCUS TO WORKS ON LESSON PLANS.

- Phrases

- Simple past Tense

- Direct and Reported Speech