Florida State College at Jacksonville - HUM 2020Test Three Essay

April 25, 2016 HUM2020 Test Three Essay How is the American Dream addressed in Hemingway’s To Have and Have Not? In your answer be sure to address what Hemingway is saying about the American Dream through this narrat ...

April 25, 2016 HUM2020 Test Three Essay How is the American Dream addressed in Hemingway’s To Have and Have Not? In your answer be sure to address what Hemingway is saying about the American Dream through this narrative and its characters. Ernest Hemingway's To Have and Have Not is the story of an honest, trusting Floridian who is driven to crime during the Depression. Being cheated as a sports fishing guide, Harry Morgan smuggles alcohol and human beings, twice double-crossing the criminals who hire his services. The second time proves fatal for Morgan, who is to Widow Marie a good man whose kind will not be seen again. The American Dream was thought differently during the Great Depression. This period of time was marked by poverty, and attributes such as being parsimonious, became to be much more highly valued. The years of the Great Depression were very difficult for the entire American population; many became unemployed and lost significant portions of their savings when the banks failed. At this time period, the American Dream was defined as the possibility for a better life for every individual regardless of their position in society, or their heritage. The Great Depression features prominently in the novel, forcing depravity and hunger on the poor residents of Key West (the "Have Not's") who are referred to locally as "Conchs." It was no different for Harry Morgan. Harry is a tough, bold, cynical, and exceptionally smart yachtsman with a wife and three daughters living in Key West. He is forced by dire economic forces beyond his control into the black-market activity of running contraband between Cuba and Florida. Harry once was able to persevere by legitimate business—running charters for party-fishing at a respectable rate along with such friends as his alcoholic mate, Eddy—until he is stiffed by his latest client and left for broke on the island. Although he was hesitant about it at first, Harry must now take on the opportunity of smuggling immigrants off Cuba and into Florida for his only income. He accepts a deal with a Chinese broker who seems all too eager to pay him $1,200 to smuggle 12 Chinese workers out of Cuba. The night the exchange goes down, however, Harry kills the Chinese businessman, dumps his body into the water, pockets the cash, and releases the 12 workers back into Cuba. Although he is heavily involved in cut-throat crime, Harry at least still has a conscience. He returns home to his family, safe from the danger and havoc of Cuba. His wife, Marie, is well aware of his criminal activity, but knows that he must do whatever it takes in order to support their family. A large woman and former prostitute, Marie seems like nothing but a worn-out hooker to everyone else, but to Harry she is a remarkable and loving wife. “Why’d he have to lose that arm? It’s funny though, I don’t mind it. Anything about him I don’t mind. I’ve been a lucky woman. There ain’t no other men like that.” (Hemingway Pg. 115) For the love of his wife and kids, he continues to be forced into criminal activities to try to support his family. Even after losing his arm and being shot multiple times, he still tries to make it for them. Harry Morgan is constantly getting driven closer and closer to the edge, forced to rely more and more on animal cunning and strength. He knows he is doing the wrong things but continues so until one bad deal goes wrong and ends his life. “Then, he thought, I wonder what she’ll do. I wonder what Marie will do? Maybe they’ll pay her the rewards. God damn that Cuban. She’ll get along, I guess. I guess it was all nuts all right. I guess I