Influences
The "Man" Behind His Work
Ernest Hemingway and F.Scott Fitzgerald Meet and Go On A Trip, Paris 1925
Hemingway supposedly told in a
letter to F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1925 that out
of all the possible topics a writer could write about, war was one of the best.
The Sun Also Rises relives the post
WWI life commonly referred to as the “Lost Generation”. More popular, A Farewell to Arms, was received
outstandingly well by critics and is to this day one of the best WWI accounts.
The Spanish Civil War comes into play in For
Whom the Bell Tolls and WWII intertwines in Across the River and into the Trees. As you can see, war played an
immense influence on Hemingway and was the backbone for numerous works.
In 1958, Hemingway had an interview with George Plimpton. Upon being asked “Who would you say are your literary forebears – those you have learned the most from?” Hemingway replied with a list including Mark Twain, Bach, Shakespeare, Van Gogh, San Juan de la Cruz, and added that it would take a day to remember everyone. These people throughout the ages played a crucial role in influencing Hemingway either with political, personal experiences, or through their works. Hemingway was also inspired by many artists. Strange right? Here is what Hemingway has to say about that:
In 1958, Hemingway had an interview with George Plimpton. Upon being asked “Who would you say are your literary forebears – those you have learned the most from?” Hemingway replied with a list including Mark Twain, Bach, Shakespeare, Van Gogh, San Juan de la Cruz, and added that it would take a day to remember everyone. These people throughout the ages played a crucial role in influencing Hemingway either with political, personal experiences, or through their works. Hemingway was also inspired by many artists. Strange right? Here is what Hemingway has to say about that:
“I learn as much from painters about how to write as from writers. You ask how this is done? It would take another day of explaining. I should think what one learns from composers and from the study of harmony and counterpoint would be obvious.”
Here are some more influences:
-Colonial Society
-Culture
-Politics
-War
-Painters
-Journalism
-Family
-Colonial Society
-Culture
-Politics
-War
-Painters
-Journalism
-Family