Krebs' Struggle to Adjust after the War
Krebs anticipated that things would be the same at home after he returned from the war. They were, with the exception of one. Looking around, the town was getting older, and the ladies had matured into adult adults. It was not his expectation that he would be the one to adjust. His events during the First World War have transformed him and, to some degree, isolated him from his family and the outside world. Krebs' family was still there for him, but they were oblivious to the implications and realities that only someone who had witnessed it could comprehend. Because of the experiences, Harold Krebs had in the war, he had difficulties in relating to his family and with his general social life. Krebs life after the First World War is a reflection of what most veterans returning from war face, especially contact and relation with their families.
Choosing a Life of Isolation
After Krebs returns home from war (Putnam), he is at home, but he does not have any feeling of really being at home. He is with his family, but he does not have a sense of belonging there. Krebs, therefore, chooses a life of isolation from his family and friends. More so, he ignores all the realities that surround him and detaches himself from social relations, affections and love, and ambition. "During this time, it was late summer, he was sleeping late in bed, getting up to walk down town to the library to get a book, eating lunch at home, reading on the front porch until he became bored and then walking down through the town to spend the hottest hours of the day in the cool dark of the pool room. He loved to play pool" (Hemingway 146). The life of Harold of living in isolation is an exhibition of his complete denial about relationships and more especially with his family. Krebs, however, tries the best he can so that he can fit back into society but realizes he cannot. After realizing staying with his family will only amount to the intense pressure which he is already undergoing, he decides to move to Kansas, away from his family, where no one is going to confront him over issues of life. A life of isolation from society and family is a common problem returning war veterans have just like Krebs. Most of the veterans would love to be on their own, involving themselves in activities of their own because of the training and experiences they undergo while at war.
Dishonesty as a Defensive Tool
Krebs had to lie to his family for them to listen to him. The World War I veteran "Krebs found to be listened to at all he had to lie and after he had done this twice he too had a reaction against the war and against talking about it" (Hemingway 185) Not only his family would want to hear about his heroic ventures and war and finally his return, but the society as a whole (Meyers 55). For survival in such a society, dishonesty is an appropriate tool for this purpose. The lies Krebs says are demonstrated clearly through his retelling of his war stories for the town people who do not want to listen to the truth of the matter about the wars. This forces Krebs to tell the lies because lying is the best path to have a peace of mind, to be listened to, and to face the least resistance. However, in as much as he was lying, "Krebs acquired nausea regarding experience that is the result of untruth or exaggeration." (Hemingway) Most war veterans will lie about the war and its experiences to get the audience of their families and the people around them. Dishonesty is a defensive tool for returning war veterans when family members and society cannot listen to the truth.
Emotional Detachment from Family Members
Krebs had an emotional detachment from his family members. The love for his family members can be termed as to grow cold. The isolation, the lies that he loves them yet emotionally the love is not there, and his moving to Kansas City all show that he is no longer emotionally attached to his family (Petrarca 664-667). The first emotional detachment is in his replies to the questions from his eager sister about the love between them -- "you bet," "I don't know," "sure," "uh huh," and "maybe" (Hemingway 157). His mother also mentions to her during breakfast that he should start working and find a nice girl. His father is also willing to let him use his car, but for him, these will complicate his life. Harold Krebs hardly pays attention to his mother and the discussions by his family. In the conversation between Krebs and her mother, out of emotional detachment and pressures he had, Krebs lies. His mother asks, "Don’t you love your mother, dear boy?" Harold responds, "I don’t love anybody." (Hemingway 125). The only way to stop her from crying is to lie to her. He says he did not mean what he said and added after his mother’s explanation "I know, Mummy. . . . I’ll try and be a good boy for you." (Hemingway 125)
Conclusion
The story about Krebs value and the expectations of the community evolves with a growing conflict between him, family, and society. Krebs finds it difficulty more especially in relating to his family. He alienates himself from his family and the real world. For the community and society to listen to him, he is forced to lie to them. Harold Krebs is also emotionally detached from his family members. Most returning war veterans, just like Krebs, find it difficult to relate to their families because of the experiences they learn from while in war.
Works Cited
Hemingway, Ernest. “Soldiers Home.” The Bedford Introduction to Literature. 2nd. New York: Bedford St. Martins, 1990.
Meyers, Jeffrey. Hemingway:A Biography. New york: Harper and Publishers, 1985. 24 April 2017.
Petrarca, Anthony J. “Irony of Situation in Ernest Hemingway’s “Soldier’s Home”.” The English Journal 58.5 (1969): 664-667. 24 April 2017.
Putnam, Thomas . “Hemingway on War and Its Aftermath.” Prologue Magazine 38.1 (2006). 24 April 2017.
