Web Dropin #4

Hemingway and Faulkner

A Real Life Conflict

We have studied the biographies and literature of these two great American authors, and now we are going to examine their relationship with each other! Although Ernest Hemingway and William Faulkner never actually met, these two prominent writers of the 1920’s did correspond through letters. In this assignment you will read about the authors’ correspondence and a 1947 conflict between the two men. You will use the information you have learned about the authors’ private lives, characters, and the content of their literature to explain and make predictions about their reactions to the conflict.

Part 1

You will read about Hemingway and Faulkner’s relationship by clicking here to visit “Timeless Hemingway”. (you will need to scroll down to the bottom of the page to the last question titled “What was the relationship like between Ernest Hemingway and William Faulkner”) This website is dedicated to everything Hemingway and presents HIS SIDE of the conflict. After reading this account of their relationship and the conflict, you will answer the following questions:

Part 1 Questions

1. This site notes that Hemingway was a “fiercely competitive writer”. What competitive characters have we encountered in Hemingway’s fiction? How are these characters similar to the Hemingway we have come to know through his biographical information?

2. The site explains that Hemingway both praised and criticized Faulkner. What do you think Hemingway meant when he criticized the author saying that you had to “wade through a lot of crap to get to [Faulkner’s] gold”? Do you agree with Hemingway’s criticism? Use textual evidence to support you answer.

3. Why do you think Hemingway would have reacted so severely to Faulkner’s criticism of his literary “COURAGE”? What evidence from his biography, or literature leads you to believe this?

4. In Faulkner’s criticism of Hemingway he states the author “never used a word where the reader might check his usage by a dictionary”. What do we know about Hemingway’s past would have made him particularly sensitive to this criticism?

5. In your opinion, do you think Hemingway reacted appropriately to this criticism? Do you think Faulkner was out of line?

Part 2

In the second part of this assignment you will read about Faulkner’s side of the conflict. You will visit “Faulkner’s Letter’s” (by clicking on this link) and actually read the letter of apology Faulkner wrote to Hemingway! This website is dedicated to everything Faulkner and represents HIS SIDE of the conflict in his very own words. After reading the letter of apology you will answer the following questions:

Part 2 Questions

1. How would you describe Faulkner’s “voice” in this letter? His tone? How is this similar/different from his literary tone? Use textual evidence to support your answer.

2. Do you think that Faulkner’s apology is sincere? Explain why or why not.

3. Pretend it is 1947 and you are friends with both Faulkner and Hemingway. Using the information that you know about Hemingway, offer Faulkner 3 pieces of advice on how he could revise his letter to truly ease Ernest’s mind.

4. Finally, after reading both sides of the conflict, predict how you think the disagreement was resolved. Was this letter enough? How do you think Hemingway reacted? How do you think Faulkner reacted? Use evidence from the authors’ biographical information and literature to support your answer.