Isolation In Cat In The Rain And Soldier's Home

“Social isolation is one of the most devastating things you can do to a human being; I don’t care how old you are.”-Rosalind Wiseman. The role of isolation in society is quite similar to its purpose in literature, it creates an internal struggle. Isolation is often used in literature to portray a feeling of emptiness which furthers the plot. Ernest Hemingway, author of modern short stories, uses the theme of isolation in his literary works to express feelings of unhappiness or uncertainty. “Cat in the Rain”, “Hills Like White Elephants”, and “Soldier’s Home” all center around isolation as each character struggles with everyday life. Ernest Hemingway author of “Cat in the Rain”, “Hills Like White Elephants”, and “Soldier’s Home” applies symbolism,
The story begins with separation and isolation as the American wife stares out the window while her husbands rests on the bed reading. Readers can infer that the relationship has lasted isolated this way for a while as even through conversation the husband, George, relays distant and uninterested. The marriage leaves the American girl so lonely that simple conversation makes her happy with the italian desk manager, “The wife liked him. She liked the deadly serious way he received any complaints. She liked his dignity. She liked the way he wanted to serve her” (Cat 1). Despite convestating being apart of the man’s job, the girl appreciates the moments of attention that she soughts after a cat in the rain. In the final scene the need of company is reassured as she discusses change, “I want to pull my hair back tight and smooth and make a big knot at the back that I can feel”(Cat 2). She requests her husband’s opinion about growing out her hair just to make conversation and he shuts her down with a simple reply of saying he likes it the way it is. In the end the theme of isolation is never resolved as the protagonist must continue her life as the “American