logo

27 pages 54 minutes read

The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber

Fiction | Short Story | Adult | Published in 1936

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Important Quotes

Quotation Mark Icon

“It was now lunch time and they were all sitting under the double green fly of the dining tent pretending that nothing had happened.”


(Page 115)

Situational irony is present from the start of this story. The main characters are attempting to resume their routine like always, relaxing and drinking and pretending nothing happened. However, their behavior and the tension within the group reveal that there was an incident on the hunt that no one wants to discuss.

Quotation Mark Icon

“‘Don’t worry about me talking,’ he said. ‘I have a living to make. You know in Africa no woman ever misses her lion and no white man ever bolts.”


(Page 119)

Wilson attempts to comfort Francis Macomber with humor after the humiliating “lion business.” He tells Macomber he won’t tell anyone what happened; he doesn’t want to discourage future business, and hunting stories must flatter the customer. These lines also indicate that Macomber is not the first man to run from a beast. Wilson speaks these lines despite knowing that word of his customer's humiliation is beginning to spread.

Quotation Mark Icon

“‘I’m sorry,’ Macomber said and looked at him with his American face that would stay adolescent until it became middle-aged.”


(Page 119)

Wilson doesn’t think highly of Americans in general in this story and blames their society for making Macomber “soft.” He views Macomber as being too sheltered and too pampered, hindering his transition to manhood.

blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
Unlock IconUnlock all 27 pages of this Study Guide

Plus, gain access to 8,500+ more expert-written Study Guides.

Including features:

+ Mobile App
+ Printable PDF
+ Literary AI Tools