The Killers is a story about two hitmen who are hired to kill Ole Anderson, a man they know nothing about. The article explores themes of existentialism and lawlessness in society.
In this article, I am going to elucidate the following things;
- Author
- Characters
- Summary
- Analysis
- Themes
- Moral Lessons
- Conclusion
Author
The Killers was written by Ernest Hemingway in 1927. He was born in 1899. He was a top American novelist with outstanding short stories in literature. This story resonates with the American time when society was living on the edge of moral degradation. Some of Ernest Hemingway’s best books are:
Characters
- If you overgo through the book, you will catch these characters:
Ole Anderson
He is the main character of the story. He is a former boxer in the story with a simple introverted personality according to the writer.
Max and Al
These were two paid assassins who wanted to take Ole’s life.
George, Nick, and Sam
There was a group of people working at Henry’s Restaurant, who encountered two killers in a storybook.
Mrs.Bell
She is the maid of ole house.
The Killers Short Story Summary
This story resonates with the 1927 to 1929 American period. Society was morally corrupt during this tenure. Ernest Hemingway delivered the same lessons in this story. The setting takes place in a small town. The author introduced readers to Ole Anderson who is a former boxer in the story. He had a good heart and a quiet mind. The twist occurs when two men named Max and Al enter Henry Restaurant. They met George who was standing on the counter. Sam who worked as the cook was also there along with Nick Adam.
Two men, Max and Al, demanded food from George’s restaurant. However, George informed them that they didn’t serve that kind of food. Max and Al then proceeded to mock and make fun of the restaurant workers. The situation escalated when they took the workers hostage. They informed George that they were going to kill Ole Anderson. They hear that he visits the restaurant around 6 in the evening. The man waited for Ole until 7 struck. George asked them why they wanted to kill Ole. They said they only wanted to help their friend, but they believed Ole had done something wrong in the past.
The two assassins grew impatient as Ole Anderson failed to show up at the restaurant. Eventually, they left in a state of distress. Later, a restaurant worker named Nick reached out to Ole and informed him of the situation. However, Ole was lying in bed and didn’t take the news seriously. He said he would not resist killers. He will not report to police. Nick was astonished and came back. He informed George and Sam about Ole’s condition. Ole was spending his days in loneliness in a closed room.
Critical Analysis
The main thing in the story is the lack of resistance to the cruelty. Anderson understood the social norms and culture. He knew it was baseless to resist those two hitmen who wanted to end his life. The story was written in 1927 and reflects the lack of justice and the prevalence of deformity in society during that time. It was a period marked by violence and lawlessness, and the author provides an overview of this through the story. It appears that Ole Anderson was also living in this same period.
Further, you will develop a fascination with the story because of Hemingway’s unique writing style and presentation of characters. If you read the story, a humor element is also included. The interaction of the killers with George gives funny vibes.
Themes Discovered
The major themes are:
Existentialism
Ole Anderson realized his fate. He never resisted to the fate. He accepted the threats of hitmen.
Loneliness
Ole lived in solitude. It explores his lonely life.
Violence
The hitman takes the restaurant workers hostage in the story, reflecting their aggressive approach.
Weakness
Instead of displaying bravery, Ole succumbed to despair and showed weakness in the face of his assailants.
Moral Lessons For Readers
This literary masterpiece shares the following beneficial lessons
- Do not submit to tyranny.
- Show resistance against all sorts of injustice.
- We can show strength against injustice.
- Take the right step at the right moment.
Conclusion: The Killers Short Story Summary
The Killers By Ernest Hemingway explores themes of loneliness and injustice for readers. The plot involves the two hitmen who decided to kill Ole Anderson, a famous boxer. They revealed their plan to restaurant workers. The hitmen waited for Ole.
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