FREE ESSAY ON FRANCIS MACOMBER FROM MOUSE TO MAN

FRANCIS MACOMBER FROM MOUSE TO MAN

One theme present in Ernest Hemingway's short story, The Short Happy Life of Francis
Macomber, is that the way a person views his life can change completely in one fulfilling
moment, if only for an instant. This is a story of a man's continuous display of
cowardice, his wife's retaliatory love affair, and his recovery of integrity and pride as
he bravely faces a charging buffalo. Francis Macomber is a prominent American businessman
with a beautiful, dominating wife who holds the control and power in their marriage. At
the start of their safari trip to Africa, Francis Macomber is regarded as a coward and
endures the embarrassment from his own cowardliness during the hunt, the disrespect from
his wife, as well as a feeling of weakness when compared to Robert Wilson, his safari
leader. He regains his integrity and confidence when he faces a charging bull only to
have his life cut short when his fires a bullet through the back of his head.
At the start of the safari, Francis Macomber must endure the embarrassment of his own
cowardliness during the hunt. He is first presented in a mock triumph, since he had only
half an hour before, been carried to his tent from the edge of the camp in triumph on the
arms and shoulders of the cook, the personal boys, the skinner and the porters. The
gun-bearers had taken no part in the demonstration (DiYanni 337). This is evident that
Macomber has withdrawn from his prior hunt for a lion and has already been recognized as
a coward in the eyes of the gun-bearers. They do not wish to pretend along with everyone
else that Francis deserves praise for a lion that he supposedly shot. Macomber, however,
does finally shoot a lion during his second outing with Wilson and his wife. Upon
approaching the injured lion hiding in the tall grasses, Macomber heard the blood-choked
coughing grant, and saw the swishing rush in the grass. The next this he knew he was
running; running wildly, in panic in the open, running towards the stream (DiYanni 347).
Macomber does here what most any man would do if confrotned by a lion. He runs. His wife,
however criticizes him for what she sees as weakness in her eyes.
Another factor contributing to Francis Macomber's suffering self-esteem is that he must
also withstand the constant disrespect from his own wife, Margot. She is the power in
their marriage and refuses to let him show any type of influence in their relationship.
Margot readily shows everyone around them how humiliated she is of her husband's actions
even at the beginning of the safari when she shuns her husband's choice of drink. She
maintains much control and is open with her affairs with other men. After the incident
with lion and she witnesses Francis's terrified retreat from the lion, she blatantly
leaned forward over the low seat and kissed him on the mouth, referring to Robert Wilson
(DiYanni 347). She does not consider any of Francis's feelings. When he asks her where
she has been when she finally returns in the middle of the night to their tent, she
reply's Out to get a breath of air, to which Francis reply's That's a new name for it.
You are a bitch(DiYanni 347). This seems to imply that this is not the first time she has
been caught in an affair. She states that the reason for her behavior is the result of
his cowardice. She turns to other men who demonstrate what she believes to be strength
and bravery. She holds absolutely no respect for her husband, and insists on accompanying
them on the safari even though even Wilson openly opposes her request and thinks to
himself that women are a nuisance on safari (DiYanni 350). 
Francis Macomber, although wealthier and more prominent when compared to his safari
leader, Robert Wilson, also lacks the strength and self-knowledge that Wilson seems to
carry naturally in order to survive in the African wildlife. Wilson represents the brave
and courageous man that Francis Macomber wants to become. He is introduced ordering a
gimlet and therefore rejecting Macomber's kind of drink. Macomber feeling ashamed of
himself and unsure of his choice changes his mind and orders the same drink. He is aware
of his self-consciousness and asks Wilson to not talk about an earlier incident in which
he had bolted like a rabbit. Wilson, at this point, loses any respect he has at all for
Macomber, so he's a bloody four-letter man as well as a coward, . . . I rather liked him
too until today. But how is one to know about an American? (DiYanni 339). It's clear that
Macomber does not make it a secret about his fears. Wilson tries to encourage Macomber
during the hunt by praising his shooting abilities. Later, when Wilson goes against the
hunter's code by chasing the buffalo in the automobile, he loses face, Macomber replies
with, Now she has something on you(DiYanni 355).
Francis Macomber finally regains his integrity and confidence after he bravely faces a
charging bull only to have his life cut short by his wife, who has become fearful of her
husband's newfound identity. You know I don't think I'd ever be afraid of anything again.
. . I feel absolutely different is Macomber's response after he has shot the buffalo
(DiYanni 354). He has saved his soul at the last minute.Margot seeing the change in her
husband right before her eye, becomes afraid, You've gotten awfully brave, awfully
suddenly (DiYanni 355). Contributing factors to this sudden change in Francis's behavior
could be evident upon the constant verbal and mental abuse from those around him,
including his wife, Wilson, and even briefly, the gun-bearers and society columnist.
There is reason to believe that Margot enjoys the attentions that go along with being
Francis's wife, whether it being good or bad. A final and contributing factor to the
ultimate transformation of Macomber, is the growing hatred towards Wilson for the affair
he carries on with his wife and a lesser hatred for his wife's attitudes towards his
fears and embarrassments. Macomber is tired of his wife's indifferences towards him and
shooting the buffalo is the first instance he has to prove him manhood to everyone around
him. 
Francis Macomber is a man who constantly finds himself struggling with his fears and
embarrassments. During his first hunt he runs like a coward. However, the second hunt is
different as he faces the buffalo he has been hunting when it charges from the thickets
and undergrowth straight at him. Francis does not leap to the side this time, but instead
calmly fires his gun at the closing bull even to point-blank range before he is killed.
The question on whether or not it was accidental on the part of Margot Macomber is not
told, but stands obvious. This story exemplifies how a person can change by just facing
his fears. It begins with Macomber in the power and control of Wilson and his wife; it
ends with Wilson and Mrs. Macomber in the power and control of Macomber.