Ernest Hemingway’s short story ‘The Snows of Kilimanjaro’ is a poignant tale of regret and redemption. Set in the African savannah, the story follows the death of an expatriate writer named Harry. As his life slips away, Harry reflects on his failures and successes as his wife Helen looks on. The story ends with Harry’s death on the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, but his musings on life, death, and the choices we make live on in Hemingway’s powerful quotes.
Overview of ‘The Snows of Kilimanjaro’
Ernest Hemingway’s classic short story ‘The Snows of Kilimanjaro’ is set in the African savannah. It follows the death of an expatriate writer named Harry and his wife Helen as they make their way across the savannah. As his life ebbs away, Harry experiences a series of flashbacks that reflect on his past mistakes. He regrets giving up his writing career to pursue a life of luxury and his inability to appreciate the beauty of the savannah. The story ends with Harry’s death on the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, and his last thoughts are of his wife.
The story is a powerful exploration of regret, mortality, and the choices we make in life. Hemingway’s deeply evocative language and imagery bring Harry’s world to life and make the story a timeless classic.
Key Quotes from the Story
One of the most memorable quotes from ‘The Snows of Kilimanjaro’ is "The very rich are different from you and me." This quote underlines the differences between Harry and the people he meets in his travels. To Harry, the rich are a different species — a world apart from which he can never escape.
Another poignant quote from the story is "The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places." This quote reflects the idea that life will inevitably break us, but it is in those broken places that we come to understand ourselves and the world around us.
The last quote from ‘The Snows of Kilimanjaro’ is "It is a shameful thing to be weary of beauty." This quote serves as a reminder of the importance of appreciating beauty in all its forms, and the regret we feel when we take beauty for granted.
Ernest Hemingway’s ‘The Snows of Kilimanjaro’ is a timeless classic that captures the essence of regret, mortality, and the choices we make in life. His powerful quotes serve as a reminder of the importance of appreciating beauty and making the most of life’s opportunities. With its deeply evocative language and imagery, the story will continue to live on in the hearts of readers for generations to come.
