The Killers

“The Killers,” by American author Ernest Hemingway, is a short story that tackles the themes Loss of Innocence, Passivity Versus Activity, and Disillusionment With Reality.

Originally published in 1927 in Scribner’s magazine, “The Killers” was later included in Hemingway’s short story collections Men Without Women, which came out later the same year, Snows of Kilimanjaro, and The Nick Adams Stories. The story has also been adapted into various film and animation versions over the years.

“The Killers” showcases Hemingway’s signature writing style, which is informed by his background as a reporter. Hemingway is acclaimed for this minimalism, crafting his narratives with uncomplicated language, concise sentence structures, and sharp, incisive dialogues that propel the story forward with momentum.

“The Killers” also features Nick Adams, a recurring character in Hemingway’s works. Nick Adams is often viewed as semi-autobiographical, drawing from Hemingway’s own experiences. The collective Nick Adams stories provide a coming-of-age narrative, depicting the growth and development of a young man through interconnected episodes.

This study guide refers to the version of “The Killers” included in the 2004 Penguin Random House edition of Men Without Women.