Implausibility of War: Hemingway's Ironies in "In Another Country"

Introduction

Ernest Hemingway's "In Another Country" delves into the implausibility of war, focusing on the aftermath experienced by soldiers. The narrative challenges conventional war-related concepts, such as bravery, heroism, and camaraderie, utilizing irony as a powerful tool to convey contrasting perspectives. This essay explores the profound ironies embedded in the story, revealing Hemingway's anti-war sentiment.

Wounded Identities: Irony in Physical Loss

One striking irony in "In Another Country" lies in the soldiers receiving wounds in the very parts of their bodies that define their identities.

The war robs them deliberately of elements that give their lives meaning. A noble man becomes a noseless figure, a footballer suffers a damaged knee, and a fencer is left with a shriveled hand. The soldiers, once whole, are now fragmented, emphasizing the tragic impact of war on their essence. Even attempts at reconstruction, like the boy with a rebuilt face, cannot fully restore what was lost. The physical losses become poignant blows to their bravery, challenging the very core of their identities.

Get quality help now

Dr. Karlyna PhD

Verified writer

Proficient in: Bravery

4.7 (235)

“ Amazing writer! I am really satisfied with her work. An excellent price as well. ”

+84 relevant experts are online

Hire writer

Medals as Unjust Symbols: Irony in Recognition

The medals, intended as symbols of bravery and camaraderie, become sources of irony and discrimination. Supposed to unite soldiers, the medals contribute to injustice as the American soldier receives them merely due to his nationality. This unjust recognition creates a divide among the soldiers, with the American soldier feeling the weight of discrimination. The irony lies in the fact that these medals, designed to foster camaraderie, lead to the alienation of one soldier from the others.

Hemingway uses this irony to critique the arbitrary nature of recognition in war, highlighting the disillusionment faced by those who receive undeserved accolades.

Café Girls: Unlikely Patriots - Irony in Recognition

Another bitter irony unfolds as the soldiers find unexpected appreciation from the café girls at the Cova. While soldiers expect recognition and love from society for their sacrifices, they face hate and ingratitude in Milan. The café girls, considered lowly by societal standards, emerge as the ones who appreciate and welcome the soldiers. The I-narrator contends that the café girls are the most patriotic in Italy, challenging conventional notions of patriotism. This irony questions the essence of patriotism and underlines the soldiers' sense of isolation, emphasizing the stark contrast between societal rejection and unexpected acceptance.

Conclusion

The ironies woven throughout "In Another Country" by Hemingway poignantly illustrate the implausibility of war and the harsh fate awaiting soldiers in its aftermath. The narrative exposes the betrayal experienced by the soldiers, evident in the war-inflicted wounds meant to destroy their identities, the medals that create divisions instead of unity, and the unexpected recognition from unlikely sources. Hemingway's anti-war stance echoes through these ironies, highlighting the inglorious nature of war and the inherent unfairness of life.

The soldiers in "In Another Country" become symbols of the disillusionment and suffering caused by war, emphasizing the need to reconsider conventional narratives surrounding heroism and patriotism. Through irony, Hemingway crafts a narrative that challenges readers to reflect on the true cost of war, urging society to recognize the humanity within soldiers beyond superficial symbols and societal judgments.