01 The Killers

A Selection of Short Stories & One
Act Plays
(Compiled by Irfan Raza & Dedicated to my beloved
father & Nauman Athar)
01: The Killers by Ernest Hemingway

General Introduction:
Ernest Hemingway wrote the short story "The Killers" in a hotel room of Madrid, Spain.
His original title for the story was "The Matadors." It is the most anthologized story of
Hemingway. The story works as the inevitable doom of suspense that overtakes nearly
anonymous people in nearly anonymous settings. Hemingway creates a setting wherein
isolated and nearly anonymous characters are put in a theatrical way to illustrate vox-populi
(A belief or sentiment shared by most people; the voice of the people) of base and ignoble American society of
1920s.
Main Idea of the Story:
In only 3000 words, the story gives an indication to Hemingways general philosophy of
corruption, crime, confusion, courage, change, innocence and acceptance. However, the
standard take on "The Killers" is that it is a typical "loss of innocence" and coming of
age story.
Plot and Analysis:
The title The Killers basically denotes two hirelings, Al & Max who treads in Henrys
lunchroom to kill Ole Anderson to oblige a friend, as if killing a human being is such a
spurious (misbegotten), negligible and inconsequential affair. Ole Anderson occasionally visits
the restaurant for dinner. But that particular evening he does not come. They leave the place
but also leave behind them a looming shadow of death under which a reader experiences
horror.
Short Summary:
The title The Killers basically denotes two hirelings, Al & Max who treads in Henrys
lunchroom to kill Ole Anderson, a former heavyweight boxer and dines there every evening.
The killers want to Kill Anderson for anonymous reason, perhaps to please their common
friend. George, Nick and Sam are the attendants of the hotel. They become the recipients
of Al and Maxs mal-behaviour. Ole does not show up that day and escapes his death. The
killers leave the restaurant rather anti-climatically. Nick courageously and fearlessly goes to
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warn Old Anderson at his dwelling. Oles fatalistic reply to save his own life brings Nick to a
decision where he leaves the town.
Conclusion:
Ironically, Hemingway's story is not about "the killers," nor is it about Ole Andreson.
Rather, the story is about codes of morality like courageous confrontation with unmitigated
(complete) evil. In a very simple, direct but effective language, Hemingway creates a very
powerful impact of death. His style keeps the reader constantly in touch with its diction and
rhythm of the ordinary dialogue.
Questions: 1) Theme of the story 2) Criticism on American Society of 1920s 3)

Hemingways theme 4) Message of the Story 5) A story of crime 6) Who are Al and Max 7)
Why do the killers want to kill Ole Anderson 8) Purpose of the Visit of the killers 10)
Anonymous Story written in Anonymous settings 11) Atmosphere of Horror and Suspense
12) Story of horror and suspense 13) Meeting between Nick and Ole Anderson 14) Courage
demonstrated by Nick 15) Oles Character Sketch 16) Nicks Character Sketch 17) Nick as
Hemingways code hero 18) Hemingways philosophy of life
Answers:
Questions (01 to 09) = (G.I. + Main Idea + Plot Analysis + Conclusion)
Questions (10 to 12) = (G.I + Plot Analysis + The following)
Most of the story is covert and the reasons of many aspects are unknown. The narrator in
"The Killers" doesnt tell us anything clearly. We dont know what people are thinking unless
they say it. We definitely dont know what people are feeling unless we infer it from their
actions or dialogue. The narrator doesnt pass judgment on any of the characters. Rather
than steering us in any one direction, the text simply presents the case as is and lets us deal
with it how we choose.
Questions (17 to 18) = (Main Idea + Plot Analysis + Following Paragraph)
Nick, the attendant and protagonist of the story, courageously and fearlessly goes to warn
Old Anderson at his dwelling. Nick who is now exposed to the heavyweight fighter who once
fought for money but now refuses to fight, even for his life, is Hemingways code hero and
hints about Hemingways philosophy of life. Hemingway's code hero is a man who must
recognize death as the end of everything and must therefore struggle against this final
nothingness. Andreson clearly knows that the hired killers are going to murder him, but he
has lost the will to fight. Ole, a prizefighter, is not a fighter after all. And Nick is not able to
confront the evil as he thought he could. This attitude is, of course, antithetical to the values
of what would develop as Hemingways code hero.
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Fleeing evil is not an option for the typical code hero of Hemingway's works. A man must
confront evil or, in this case, Andreson's inevitable death. Running from evil is as much a
violation of the code hero's persona as suicide is. How one reacts to evil is ultimately more
important than the evil itself.
Just for Reading:
Historical References (Allusion): Andre Anderson (Ole Andresons character): Andre

Anderson was an American heavyweight boxer in the decade leading up to Hemingways
"The Killers." He was killed in 1926 by Chicago mobsters, supposedly for not "taking a dive"
(losing on purpose) in one particular match. Hemingway cleverly references both Andres
first name and his last name in his characters last name: Andreson.
Summary:
The story takes place in Summit, Illinois during the 1920s, during Prohibition. Two hit men,
Max and Al, walk into Henry's lunchroom, which is run by George. They order something
off the menu that is not available and have to settle for pork and eggs. Al goes into the
kitchen and ties up Nick Adams, a recurring character in Hemingway's stories, and Sam the
black cook. Max and George soon have a conversation, which reveals that the two men are
there to kill Ole Andreson, a Swedish boxer, for a "friend."
Andreson never shows, so the two men leave rather anti-climatically. George sends Nick to
Hirsch's boarding house, run by Mrs. Bell, to warn Andreson about the two men. Nick
finds Andreson lying in his bed with all of his clothes on. He tells Andreson what has
happened. Andreson does not react, except to tell Nick not to do anything, as there is
nothing that can be done. Nick leaves, goes back to the lunchroom, and informs George
about Ole Andreson's reaction. When George no longer seems concerned, Nick decides to
leave town.
Views About Death
Ole Anderson is an isolated person who because of certain reasons has given up and is ready
to accept death not because he is coward but because he is tired of running from death. It is
a king of resolve he makes to get himself rid of the looming shadow of death. A solemn
(sincere) acquiescence (acceptance without protest) to death ennobles (Confer dignity or honor upon) his mind,
and he develops a spiritual readiness to accept an eventuality. The restlessness is projected
not in the mind of character but that of the reader.
Quotations:
Outside, it was getting dark. It is five o clock. (Settings & Horror)
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In their tight overcoats and derby hats, they looked like a vaudeville team.(Appearance
and Behaviour)
The hell you were, you were looking at me. (Behaviour)
He never had a chance to do anything to us. He (has) never even seen us. (Anonymous
Purpose)
We are killing him for a friend; Just to oblige a friend, bright boy. (Purpose of Visit or
Killing)
Come on Al, said Max. We better go. Hes not coming. (Leaving the Restaurant)
There is no anything I can do about it. (Meeting, Oles Refusal to save his life)
I (am) through with all that running around. (Meeting, Oles Refusal to save his life)
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A Selection of Short Stories & One

01: The Killers by Ernest Hemingway

Main Idea of the Story:

Plot and Analysis:

Questions: 1) Theme of the story 2) Criticism on American Society of 1920s 3)

Questions (01 to 09) = (G.I. + Main Idea + Plot Analysis + Conclusion)

Questions (10 to 12) = (G.I + Plot Analysis + The following)

Questions (17 to 18) = (Main Idea + Plot Analysis + Following Paragraph)

Just for Reading:

Historical References (Allusion): Andre Anderson (Ole Andresons character): Andre

Views About Death

Outside, it was getting dark. It is five o clock. (Settings & Horror)

The hell you were, you were looking at me. (Behaviour)

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