How Does Krebs Change In Soldier's Home

Ernest Hemingway’s short story Soldier’s Home is about a young man named Harold Krebs who has just come back from the war. Throughout the story Krebs deals with many struggles within himself. He no longer has the effort to have a relationship with any of the girls in his hometown. Since he arrived much later than most of the soldiers, all the stories he wants to discuss are nothing but dull to everyone. His experience in the war changed Krebs and he doesn’t seem to acknowledge it. Deeper into the story, Krebs father makes it clear that no one can drive the family car. As the story continues, Krebs father later discusses that Kreb is allowed to use it since his return from the war. This particular scene was very important because it showed the extent of change Kreb was in. Due to all the change Kreb faced after the war, Kreb’s views of life changed completely, which
affected not only him but the ones around him.
In the beginning of the story Krebs welcoming was not what he expected. He had stayed roughly two years longer than most of the soldiers and that affected the townspeople reaction. When he arrived back in his hometown nothing was the same. When Kreb was asked about the war he felt as if he needed to lie for entertainment because everyone’s excitement was no longer there. Kreb’s routine after the war was very relaxed. In many ways he did everything possible to make his life as uncomplicated as it could be. For example, he did not stress over what he wanted to do with his life after the war. The most exciting literature he has read was a map locating all the places he was in the war. He becomes more sheltered within himself because he see’s everyone different.
Furthermore, the overall aspect of women have changed for Kreb. He began to explain the different type of men inside the war. First there are the men who need women in their lives and those who don’t. Since he now claims that he doesn’t need women, that means that before his journey to the war he very much wanted women. The reason being is because he feels as if they are too complicated for him. This particular subject was discussed heavily in the literature. This was a prime example showing how the world around him as stayed the same except for him.
The extent of Krebs change was so noticeable that his father let him drive the car that was only supposed to be used for job related purposes.
When his mom told him the good news, Kreb was not as ecstatic as she had hoped. He was confused and decided that it was something he didn’t actually want because of the conditions his mother had announced. Her mother made it clear that the reason he was allowed to use it was because he was showing no growth in his life after the war. She mentioned how he could use the car to find a nice young lady, who could potentially be his future wife. During the talk she asked him if he loved her, he quickly replied “no.” Afterward when she begins to cry, he explains how he can not love but does love her. In that scene we see how Kreb was forced to lie to please his mother. This shows how he has changed after the war. The number one reason why he was able to use the car, was too see if that privilege would change him for the better. Ultimately Soldier’s Home overall message is how easily one could change over a period of time when faced with life changing
experiences.