Thursday, February 22, 2007

"Cat in the Rain" Question on Character

One can compare the hotelkeeper with the husband. Compare the two men in one way and suggest a reason for Hemingway to include this comparison.

Posted by Brad at 2/22/2007 09:28:00 AM

3 comments:

cynthia said...

Small Favor Big Effect

To compare the hotelkeeper with the husband, the hotelkeeper seems more compassionate, emotional and nicer than the husband as he does send the maid to cover the American wife with an umbrella, on the other hand, the husband just say “Don’t get wet.” At the end of the story, the padrone even send a cat in for the wife while the husband asks her to “shut up”. Perhaps the reason Hemingway writes this to remind the readers that good relationships need us to work hard to keep. Do not just get used to be with the one you love, try sometimes to pay more attention on or to please each other by doing her/him a favor on what she/he needs.

By Cynthia Kao

February 27, 2007 at 1:49 PM
Cristina said...

Comparing the two men in the story, the hotel keeper is warm and thoughtful while the husband is cold and unaffectionate. Hemingway included this contrasting personality
to show us that there are problems in the American couple’s marriage. The fact that the wife likes the hotelkeeper shows us what is lacking in the husband.

February 27, 2007 at 2:58 PM
Rosemary said...

Hemingway compares remarkably the two men through the story; making noticeable the unsatisfied wife’s life; and her desire of changes it. Her disappointed married relationship, uncomfortable physical appearance and her failed wishes.
“Don’t get wet”; “Oh, shut up and get something to read” the husband said. He is reading a book without paying to attention to her. So she is unhappy and lonely.
“You must not get wet,” The hotelkeeper said. “She liked his old faced and big hands” also he was a tall; who could protect her. Besides that, the way he addressed to her, she loves it because she felt herself important even small. The hotelkeeper represents all the things she would like. Finally he gave her the cat she wanted; the cat that represents her.

February 27, 2007 at 3:31 PM

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