Soldier's Home

Throughout “Soldier’s Home,” Hemingway references religion and in particular the Methodist faith of Harold’s mother. What is the importance of religion in the story, and how does it relate to the Lost Generation?

Harold likes to read history books on the porch and wishes they had more maps in them. What do the history books and the maps symbolize?

Charley Simmons is spoken about but never seen. What does he represent, and how does he contrast with Harold?

Throughout “Soldier’s Home,” Hemingway shows incidents of Harold lying. Why does Harold feel compelled to lie and what does this say about him?

At a crucial moment in the story, Harold’s mother says that he can take his father’s car out in the evening. What does the car symbolize, and why do Harold’s parents allow him to use it?

Harold has a seemingly loving relationship with his sister Helen and Hemingway describes her as “his best sister” (114). What role does Helen serve in the story?

In the first two paragraphs of “Soldier’s Home,” Hemingway describes two pictures of Harold. What is the significance of the photos, and what do they reveal about Harold?

Harold spends many of his afternoons sitting on the front porch of his family’s home. What does the front porch represent, and how does the physical space comment on Harold’s character?