Hemingway has hands-down earned himself the title of World's Manliest Man (here he is hanging out with a bull in case you needed proof), and questions about masculinity, what masculinity is, and masculinity's success/failure (usually failure) are present in almost all of his works. Even though Hemingway likes to write about men, Men Without Women, and manly things in general, he also usually likes to show masculinity that is undermined or called into question. In "Indian Camp" this theme surfaces through things like contrasts between the genders, the father-son relationship, and, as always, the not-so-great expectations about what it means to be a man.
Questions About Men and Masculinity
- Why is masculinity important to this story?
- What is the relationship between masculinity and fatherhood? In what ways does Nick's father embody or deviate from stereotypes about each?
- Is it possible to talk about masculinity without talking about femininity? What does the story seem to suggest?
Chew on This
Ultimately, masculinity is redeemed in "Indian Camp."
It is not necessary to read the things Nick's father does in "Indian Camp" in terms of masculinity; in fact, gender has nothing to do with this story.