The Role of Nature in Hemingway Literature

Hemingway believed in simplicity, whether it is in his personal life or his writing style. This view of life is reflected in his approach to nature. Being a renowned writer of his time, Hemingway was especially known for his beautiful, vivid descriptions of the surroundings and setting. The role of nature and the symbolism incited in it is an essential aspect of Hemingway’s literature that permeates The Old Man in the Sea and The Snows of Kilimanjaro.
Hemingway’s nature was simple. Nature mirrors his obsessions: preoccupation with all outdoor pursuits and sports; identification with the primitive; constant confrontation with death; fascination with violence, and with the skillful control of violence. Nature is also perceived as a place of restoration. His characters often use nature to relax and release tensions before facing life’s problems again. “For Santiago the coast of Africa and the images of the playing lions carry the associations of youth, strength, and even immortal...