A Day's Wait

Ernest Hemingway’s “A Day’s Wait” (published in 1933) is a brief yet poignant short story based on the real-life experience of Hemingway’s son, Jack. Although one of Hemingway’s shortest works, at a little over a thousand words, the story is frequently anthologized and is an excellent introduction to Hemingway’s themes and style. In particular, this piece examines themes like Heroic Fatalism, Bravery and Manliness, and Miscommunication and Lack of Communication.

This guide refers to the version included in Hemingway’s Winner Take Nothing, a short story anthology published in 1933.

“A Day’s Wait” is written in first person, conveying the story through the eyes of an unnamed narrator referred to as “Papa.” The story has just four characters, all of whom are referred to only by a nickname, profession, or species. The two main characters are Papa and his nine-year-old son, Schatz. “Schatz” is a German term of endearment that means “my treasure.” Its use is similar to “darling” or “honey” in English. The other two characters—a doctor and a dog—remain nameless, though the narrative reveals that

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