In Our Time
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Chapter VII
Summary
During a bombardment of a trench, a young soldier lies very still and prays steadily. He promises God that if he lives, he will tell the world about him. The soldier lives and rebuilds the trench. He never discusses God with anyone.
Commentary
In war, Hemingway is illustrating, unbelievers turn to God. Any sort of support is helpful at that point. Later, this soldier does not live up to the promises he made because he is in a comfortable enough situation not to need religion as a crutch.
On the Quai at Smyrna
by bhnnad, December 04, 2012
Sparknotes' commentary for On the Quai at Smyrna seems to have quite a few historical errors. The commentary states that the narrator is likely talking about the Greek evacuation of Thrace, but the title is On the Quai at Smyrna. Smyrna is a city in modern-day Turkey (now called Izmir). The Christian (mainly Greek and Armenian) part of Smyrna was burned in 1922 after the Turks recaptured the city from the Greeks. Hemingway was actually in Turkey just after the Great Fire to cover the Greco-Turkish War as a correspondent for the Toronto Star.... Read more→
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