Never the same iceberg: theories of omission, misinterpretation, and dead metaphors in Hemingway's work

Abstract

The intent of this thesis was inspired by the variety of interpretations of Ernest Hemingway’s fiction that have been influenced by words, metaphors, and symbols whose meanings have changed (and continue to change) over time. Writing within the language of their contemporary context and culture, all writers are vulnerable to future generations misinterpreting their writing; this fact speaks for itself in the footnotes of any critical edition of an author writing before the twentieth century. The twentieth century, though, is moving quickly towards a distant past. Almost 100 years after Hemingway began to publish his work, it is clear that the language and culture of the twenty-first century is undoubtedly different from the time for which Hemingway wrote.