Journal 18: “In Another Country”

1. What is the significance of the story’s title?

- The significance of the story’s title shows that the injured, American, war veteran character is in Italy surrounded by Italians who are not like him. He is physically in another country. Another Country connotes that the narrator is much different than the Italians. The Italians view him as not having as much clout as them. The Italians that had fought in WWII believe that they possess bravery and self-sacrifice. The American doesn’t possess these qualities because he did not even fight in the war. He was injured driving an ambulance. Being injured while driving a truck instead of being injured while sacrificing yourself for the sake of your country, is much being in another country.


2. Which character do you think best represents the “Hemingway hero”? Why?

- The Major best represents the “Hemingway hero”. He is a fencer whose hand was injured and he had lost his wife. The “Hemingway hero” embodies the code of accepting loses, bearing the pain, and putting up with the aftermath of the situation. The Hemingway hero is definitely the Major because he had incredible stoicism despite his extreme suffering. He suffered all of his loses with grace and dignity. He had not planned on being injured, but fought through his struggles. A hero senses defeat but fights hard until the bitter end. The Major embodies these qualities.


3. What can you infer about the photographs the doctor hangs up? What is the significance of the major’s reaction?

- I can infer that the photos are a fake piece of propaganda, in a way. They give soldiers the idea that the war was necessary and it was for a good cause. The photos give them a sense of hope, which the major disapproves of. The major refused to look at the photos and looked out the window. He ends up leaving.