Literary Theories and Criticism: An Expressive Reading of Ernest Hemingway’s An Advice to a Son

Literary Theories and Criticism: An Expressive Reading of Ernest Hemingway’s An Advice to a Son

A poet’s emotional and rational aspects in general, are way too intricate to deal with.  It takes both wit and nerve to plunge down their profound thoughts and expressions; for, needless to say; they are strikingly unfathomable.  Every single detail embedded on his masterpiece demonstrates an account along with his vision and sometimes, even his presence.

Ernest Hemingway’s An Advice to a Son is theorized as a poem expressing his real life role as a father; advising his son to do exactly what he says to live a meaningful life.

This critical proposition is supported by the theory of expressivism, which classical theorist Plato (qtd.in Adams 2) asserts in the idea of the poem/ text as an expression of the writer’s inner being, emphasizing the presence of the writer in the poem or text.

Ernest Hemingway wrote this poem in 1931, a year when his third and last child was born. He was 32 years old that time and in the midst of chasing adventure. It was in the later part of the previous decade when he experienced stability both in career and marriage but failure in relationship with friends.

Lines 3 , 7, 15 and 16 reveal how his career as a writer contribute so far in his life. His imperative statements on these lines begin and emphasized with “Never” express unpleasing experiences and dissatisfaction. It is learnt that Hemingway worked as a cub reporter for the Kansas City Star newspaper after graduating from high school.

In Line 3 “Never sign a contract”        refers to his experience when he had to have a formal written agreement with Scribner's Magazine; after his wife’s consistent provocation. He must have left financially discontented for he reveals “Never trust a publisher, or you'll sleep on straw” (in lines 15 and 16).

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