Ernest Hemingway: Biography, Major Works and Themes
Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961) was an American novelist associated with the Modernist period of literature. This guide gives students a clear overview of the writer's life, major works and themes.
Quick Facts
| Name | Ernest Hemingway |
|---|---|
| Lived | 1899-1961 |
| Known as | An American novelist |
| Period | Modernist |
Major Works
- The Old Man and the Sea
- A Farewell to Arms
- The Sun Also Rises
Themes and Style
The writing of Ernest Hemingway is best known for courage, loss and a spare prose style. When you study these works, look at how language, structure and imagery carry those ideas.
Why Study Ernest Hemingway?
Ernest Hemingway is a frequent subject in school, college and university syllabuses. Knowing the context of the Modernist period helps you understand why the writer chose particular subjects and forms.
Exam Tips
- Learn two or three key quotations from The Old Man and the Sea.
- Link Ernest Hemingway's ideas to the historical background of the Modernist period.
- Practise writing a short paragraph on theme, language and form.