Comments on: The Snows of Kilimanjaro

By: Debbie

Debbie — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 05:12:58 +0000

I enjoyed all the comments and interpretations. I think the leopard became lost, blinded by the snows while hunting alone without support for what he needed to sustain himself. Harry became lost and blinded by the snows in his life and was unable to sustain himself alone as well. The question is what do the snows represent. Snows could symbolize what enables the leopard to camoflauge/hide himself thinking he could get closer to his prey/sustenance/goal. The same snow also causes him to get lost and unable to see where he is going. Harry got lost in his snows/by being blinded by desire to be someone he wasn’t. He became lost by trying to appear wealthy and successful by being cautious, hiding behind his wealthy wives rather than taking risks and coming out in the open and be himself.
Both the leopard and Harry ignore pain and injury and don’t allow themselves to learn from it and lose their ability to survive which causes the demise of them both. Given Hemingway’s end it could be said they both got lost and could no longer survive having lost their muse.

By: Don

Don — Mon, 04 May 2009 16:41:08 +0000

I like how the title plays with Harry’s desire to write “Snows”.

The work “Snows” are Harry’s thoughts spurred to reflection by his situation at Kilimanjaro. Seen that way, the Snows really are of Kilimanjaro.
I also like how the mountain name has “Kill a man” in it.

Word choice is often so primary to the feeling a piece of work takes on as you read it, I think what we take away from a story is almost never given to us at face value; impressions we take with us are the word associations inherent to the language it’s written in.

Symbolism itself is less effectual at getting at writers idea than the words leading up to and passing by the symbol given to us.
I think the leopard has more than one meaning, and if it made you feel anything at all, I think that is the truest purpose for it being there in the story. Any speculation as to what the leopard means is not the power of the leopard. Its power as a symbol is realized by how folks feel compelled to explain it’s meaning.
A good writer channels associations with care and patience, making sure to not only convey a situation or feeling in a story, but to impart in a reader a feeling or thought process by threads of association:
It is no linguistic accident that if you were asked to imagine an apple in your hand, the words ‘red’ or ‘green’ would come to you were you asked to identify the color of it. More importantly this is what you would expect someone else to say about the apple as well, and this confidence in finishing ideas started by another is at the source of understanding something of a writers intention.
The heart of good writing is not an appreciation for the words the reader will follow, but for the scenery adjacent to the words that will arise in the reader’s mind from reading the words written.
To say we can never understand what a writer means in the writing of particular work is too cold a judgement. Better to say we can only ever know the intention in partial.

By: Nepal

Nepal — Sun, 18 May 2008 10:29:40 +0000

I need help. I want to write an essy on the Snows of Kilimanjaro. Shall I give some information about the author’s biography in the first of part my writing?

By: Kateryna

Kateryna — Sun, 11 May 2008 19:27:05 +0000

I need help. Do you know where can i get free text of the snows of Kilimanjaro

By: june Middlebrooks

june Middlebrooks — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 18:32:02 +0000

I enjoyed your essay. The Snows…is one of my favorite Hemingway stories. I was actually reading an article in Smithsonian about Kilimanjaro and, of course, my mind immediately skipped to Hemingway, so I searched The Snows on the Internet. I can never hear the word “kilimanjaro” without plunging into the Hemingway milieu. He is an egnima for me. I read and reread his work, often years between. No other writer had that hold on me. Thanks for your analysis.

By: Isabelle

Isabelle — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 09:42:52 +0000

I’m very confused-_-;;
why is Hemingway mentioning Mt.Kilimanjaro in this story?
Is it representing Harry’s goal or somethin’?
And we all know that Harry dies in the end of the story
I don’t understand.. the last part when Compton comes..
People say that it is Harry’s dream when he goes up to Kilikmanjaro with Compton. What does that relate to Hemingway?
Also, does Harry drink because he knows that he will die soon?
Uhh I’m very confused Guys

By: Da Bruce

Da Bruce — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 08:41:32 +0000

I disagree with the symbolism of the leopard. I believe it is a sign that the leopard had accomplished its goal by reaching the zenith of Mt. Kilimanjaro, and it is a symbol of Harry’s jealousy. The leopard is forever imobilized at the summit as proof that it did what it wanted to. Harry always wished to compose stories of his experiences but procrastinated to the point where it was no longer possible to complete his goal. He is jealous of the leopard and it’s boasting qualities.

By: Bob

Bob — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 19:30:35 +0000

I have not read this classic, but I imagine the carcass of the leopard to be something positive, uplifiting, a courageous example of overcoming adversity and obstacles, of reaching the peak simply because the peak was there…to discover.

By: Gary Towery

Gary Towery — Tue, 26 Sep 2006 13:40:18 +0000

I don’t know why, but for years I have assumed that Compton is the ghost of someone from his past who has come to deliver him to the next world. Probably a little too simplistic for all this symbolism. I heartily agree with the analogy to the leopard carcass.

By: Victorina Remez

Victorina Remez — Tue, 26 Sep 2006 13:39:44 +0000

I agree with your essay, you made some very clear and cohesive points. However, in my opinion, the carcass symbolized Harry, as well as Hemmingway’s need to reach self-satisfaction, then and only then would they be at peace.

By: anas

anas — Tue, 26 Sep 2006 13:39:06 +0000

need help

By: George Blades

George Blades — Tue, 26 Sep 2006 13:38:16 +0000

I would like to suggest that the leopard is a symbol of Harry and his lonely attempt at finding something or reaching somewhere he can be at peace.

By: David A. Fay

David A. Fay — Tue, 26 Sep 2006 13:37:42 +0000

Very interesting essay. Thanks for writing it.

By: Bia

Bia — Tue, 26 Sep 2006 13:37:10 +0000

your essay ist very interessting, but the woman isn’t unnamed; her name is helen

By: the almighty zok

the almighty zok — Tue, 26 Sep 2006 13:36:33 +0000

I got a cut on my foot, didn’t pay attention to it, and now its infected. No joke.

By: M. David Jordan

M. David Jordan — Tue, 26 Sep 2006 13:35:54 +0000

I have always seen “The Snows of Kilimanjaro” as Hemingway’s way to express the idea of using the time one has to its fullest extent, for this hour may be your last.

By: Ana Baptista

Ana Baptista — Tue, 26 Sep 2006 13:35:16 +0000

Hi! Your essay is quite interesting! I wonder if you could give me some help on “A Canary for One” as well! Thanx!

By: Max

Max — Tue, 26 Sep 2006 13:34:45 +0000

I agree with your first two comments. I’ve always considered the image of the leapord’s carcass at the top of the mountain as a very sad and lonely image, suggesting wastefulness or making the wrong choice or even self-destruction. I’ve never understood why many critics perceive it as something positive.