How we cite our quotes: (Paragraph)
Quote #1
There were only two Americans stopping at the hotel. (1)
This is the first sentence of the story and it immediately tells us three things: 1) the story is set in a foreign country 2) it involves people in transit and 3) those people are the "others" in this setting. See, we told you Hemingway was a super efficient writer.
Quote #2
They did not know any of the people they passed on the stairs on their way to and from their room. (1)
This second sentence reaffirms the couple's foreignness in this place, but also tells us something about their attitude and bearing. They are not people who make friends easily; they are, and feel themselves to be, apart. Sounds kind of lonely, if you ask us.
Quote #3
Italians came from a long way off to look up at the war monument. (1)
With this, Hemingway lets us know that we're Italy, but he also does something more. The fact that the people come from far away to simply look at this war monument conveys a sense of national cohesion. The country experienced World War I collectively, as a nation, and it continues to draw them together. Compare that to the distance we feel between the husband and wife, and their
Quote #4
The American wife stood at the window looking out. (2)
"The American wife" pretty much functions as the woman's name in this story, but it's worthwhile asking yourself why Hemingway makes this choice? Why does he so insist on reminding us that she is American? You'd think she was Voldemort (He-who-must-not-be-named) or something by the way Hemingway avoids giving her a name.
Quote #5
"Si, si, Signora, brutto tempo. It's very bad weather." (10)
The padrone repeats his Italian phrase in English here, but it's interesting to see that he does this specifically in response to the Signora's attempt at Italian. He is acknowledging that she tried, but also making sure that they are really communicating. A real gentleman, isn't he?
Quote #6
When she talked English the maid's face tightened. (21)
Here is a characteristically Hemingway description for you. He doesn't say that speaking English makes the maid uncomfortable, or that she doesn't understand it, or even that she grimaces or frowns. Her face simply "tightens." What do you imagine that looks like? Is it even a categorizable facial expression? Why does Hemingway leave it so open to interpretation? And why (it has to be asked) does that word "tight" appear here again, in this context?