SOURCE: "A New Reading of The Snows of Kilimanjaro'," in The Houses That James Built: And Other Literary Studies, Ohio University Press, 1961, pp. 173-99.

In the following essay, Stallman provides a structural analysis of Hemingway's story.

When in doubt, it seems, when in fear, when taken by surprise, when lost in bush or desert and without a guide, the human, the animal, heart prescribes a circle. It turns on itself as the earth does and seeks refuge in the movement of the stars.

—Laurens Van Der Post: Venture To

The Interior (1951)

What has not been noticed about "The Snows of Kilimanjaro" is how it is designed. Scenes of external reality alternate with juxtaposed scenes of internal monologue, reminiscences of Harry's past life that Harry failed to utilize as writer. These cutbacks—they are set into italics—are not dreams, but rather they are recollected reality; the point is...