A Very Short Story

Consider the theme of Love and Loss in the story. How does Ernest Hemingway portray the main characters’ wartime romance? How do Luz and the solider cope in the aftermath of their failed relationship?

Examine the role of gender in the story: To what extent are the soldier and Luz characterized by their gender identities? How do their gender identities affect the development of the plot and major themes of the story?

How does the war impact the characters in the story? Consider how their attitudes and behaviors are affected by the war, and support your response with evidence from the text.