1. Initial Personal Reaction: My initial reaction to Hemingway’s short story “Soldier’s Home” was at the beginning I was a bit confused on why Krebs returned so late compared to the other soldiers. I felt compassion toward Krebs because he had gone though a great deal and when he returned there was no warm welcome for him. There was nobody for him to talk to. He was all alone. This story is similar to what we are experiencing now with all the soldiers coming home from Iraq. This piece made me think about my dad. He served in Vietnam and to this day I still have not heard a word about it. I have asked him about it several times but he brushes it off and quickly changes the topic.
2. Literary Element/Thematic Analysis: The literary element that stood out to me was that the story was a bit ironic. The home that Krebs returned to after the war was his childhood home but he didn’t seem to feel at home. He seemed to feel more awkward then he did comfortable or relaxed. Moreover, he was quick in wanting to move away and get away from this place that was supposed to be his “home.” I think the author was attempting to say that war changes everything; what people thought they knew, who they once were. That lives are changed forever.
3. Questions/Comments: What do you think the real reason why Krebs said he doesn’t love his mother? Do you think going to war played a part on that? I mean the mother seemed like a very lovely lady who cared deeply about her son.
