Hemingway's Nada. The philosophy of Hemingway's litterature and how he views Nada
In 'The light of the world' written by Ernest Hemingway
Steve Ketchel, a boxer
symbolizes a Jesus figure for a woman called Alice. Alice, a 350
pound, unpleasant prostitute struggles with her current life. Her
central being focuses at the belief that she had a sexual
relationship with Steve Ketchel. This wishful illusion arises
from a complex she has because of her ugly and unpleasant
appearance. Nick Adams, the main Hemingway character, believes
that Alice, although she has really given up her life, still has
the chance to change and live a happy life. Steven K. Hoffman
would call this belief Alice has 'nada'.
Nada is a term used in Hemingways story 'A clean well
lighted place'. Steven K. Hoffman interpreted the word in an
Essay he wrote. The word nada translated to English, basically
means 'nothing'. But further it means much more than the simple
word nothing.
Nada from the point of Alice's view means that there is nothing
behind of her belief. That means that her life is not based on a
concrete belief. She does not believe in any religion; her
religion is Ketchel. That arises from her place in society. In
society she is ranked very low. A prostitute has nothing to say
in our society. And since she is that low she cant set her goals
higher. Her goals could be the goals Jesus talks about. Her goal
in life was and still is to sleep with more and more guys. Back
to nada it means that she has nothing; nothing to believe in and
nothing to live for.
Alice lives in an illusion. It seems that she suppresses the
fact that she is a fat prostitute. How much lower can you get?
She suppresses her problems with her dreams and illusions. The
most important belief is that she had a sexual relationship with
Ketchel. That is her main belief. For a normal American, Jesus
would the most important belief. Ketchel gives her the strength
to withstand her complexes. Ketchel in other words symbolizes
Jesus. That is of course very sad. When comparing Jesus
Steve Ketchel, a boxer
symbolizes a Jesus figure for a woman called Alice. Alice, a 350
pound, unpleasant prostitute struggles with her current life. Her
central being focuses at the belief that she had a sexual
relationship with Steve Ketchel. This wishful illusion arises
from a complex she has because of her ugly and unpleasant
appearance. Nick Adams, the main Hemingway character, believes
that Alice, although she has really given up her life, still has
the chance to change and live a happy life. Steven K. Hoffman
would call this belief Alice has 'nada'.
Nada is a term used in Hemingways story 'A clean well
lighted place'. Steven K. Hoffman interpreted the word in an
Essay he wrote. The word nada translated to English, basically
means 'nothing'. But further it means much more than the simple
word nothing.
Nada from the point of Alice's view means that there is nothing
behind of her belief. That means that her life is not based on a
concrete belief. She does not believe in any religion; her
religion is Ketchel. That arises from her place in society. In
society she is ranked very low. A prostitute has nothing to say
in our society. And since she is that low she cant set her goals
higher. Her goals could be the goals Jesus talks about. Her goal
in life was and still is to sleep with more and more guys. Back
to nada it means that she has nothing; nothing to believe in and
nothing to live for.
Alice lives in an illusion. It seems that she suppresses the
fact that she is a fat prostitute. How much lower can you get?
She suppresses her problems with her dreams and illusions. The
most important belief is that she had a sexual relationship with
Ketchel. That is her main belief. For a normal American, Jesus
would the most important belief. Ketchel gives her the strength
to withstand her complexes. Ketchel in other words symbolizes
Jesus. That is of course very sad. When comparing Jesus