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“The Snows of Kilimanjaro” is a short story written by American author Ernest Hemingway
. The piece, which is a work of realistic psychological fiction, was originally published in Esquire, a reputable men’s magazine, in its 1936 August issue. The story is told from a close third-person POV and follows the thoughts and memories of its main character, a failed writer named Harry, as he slowly dies of gangrene while on an African safari in the plains below Mount Kilimanjaro. “The Snows of Kilimanjaro” is considered one of Hemingway’s best short stories and immediately gained mainstream popularity after its publication in Esquire.In “The Snows of Kilimanjaro,” Hemingway expertly weaves together a dual timeline narrative, with the memories of Harry’s past denoted by italics. Hemingway pulls extensively from his own life, exploring the inner insecurities of a middle-aged writer and reflecting on past heartbreaks and traumatic experiences inspired by his time in WWI, WWII, and the Spanish Civil War. The story explores themes of regret, particularly in the context of Harry feeling that he’s wasted his natural talents and failed to truthfully write about the world and the most crucial moments of his life.
Read the full story summary, the full story analysis, and explanations of themes from “The Snows of Kilimanjaro.”
