Soldier's Home

“Soldier’s Home” explores the psychological effects of war. Hemingway, who enlisted in World War I and was severely wounded, draws on his experiences to tell the story of Harold, a young man who lacks direction after the war. Harold represents the members of the Lost Generation. He returns to his hometown in Oklahoma to live with his parents and feels stuck.

War took a toll on Harold. After returning home, he is unable to assume responsibility for his life. He sleeps late, wanders around town aimlessly, spends his afternoons playing pool in a bar, sits on the porch and reads a book, and watches girls walk by him without speaking to them.

Hemingway directly addresses this theme through the conversation between Harold and his mother, in which she expresses concern for his well-being since returning home. Hemingway writes:

‘Have you decided what you are going to do yet, Harold?’ his mother said, taking off her glasses.

‘No,’ said Krebs.

‘Don’t you think it’s about time?’ His mother did not say this in a mean way. She seemed worried.

‘I hadn’t thought about it,’ Krebs said.

‘God has some work for every one to do,’ his mother said. ‘There can be no idle hands in His Kingdom.’ ‘I’m not in his Kingdom,’ Krebs said (115).