Addison Seay

Grubb
AP Language and Composition (1)
21 April 2017
Heming-Way not Overrated

Many people find the line between lackluster and simple very hard to find. Hemingway is

an author that stands out for his striking diction, that should be seen as simple, not lackluster.

When confronted with awarding an author for their diction, it should be clear that Hemingway is

deserving. Ernest Hemingways style in The Sun Also Rises is award worthy due to his plain and

blunt diction leading to an advancement into modern prose, his characterization through his

diction, and his simple diction that allows for his other literary elements to stand out in his piece.

Hemingway deserves an award for his precise and blunt diction because of his innovation

for future writing. Before Hemingway surfaced as an influential writer in the early 20th century,

the diction applied in many pieces was often elevated, formal, and specific. Hemingways

informal words, as well as detached and plain diction, serve as a new approach to diction of a

piece. Formerly, Hemingways diction would seem to lack any substance; however,

Hemingways plain, blunt, and detached diction allows for the reader to fully understand the

meaning and symbols within his writing. Literary critics can draw the conclusion that his diction

has changed the path for modern writers. Critics should recognize the simplicity of Hemingways

diction as being crucial to modern prose. In comparison to other important writers of his time,

Hemingway should be awarded for his diction because he utilizes the philosophy less is more.

Secondly, Hemingways diction is unique when compared to other writers due to the

characterization it provides. While many believe that Hemingways diction reflects his own life,

his simple word choice shows the lives of the characters throughout his novel. Drawing many

parallels between Hemingways life and that of his protagonist Jake Barnes, one can see that his
diction was used not only to reflect Hemingways tone, but also that of Jake. It is clear to see that

Jake lives a life of boredom through Hemingways lack of lively diction. Hemingways diction

becomes slightly elevated when speaking of landscapes and Lady Brett Ashley, two things that

Jake really enjoys. One can conclude that Hemingways diction is different from many writers

because it reflects not only his style, but also that of his characters. This deserves an award

because while his diction is simple, he is able to elevate his characterization.

Lastly, Hemingways writing style of blunt and plain diction allows for the other elements

of his writing to stand out. Many writers may possibly overwhelm their audience with their

profound and elevated diction; however, Hemingways simplicity of word choice is vital in

drawing attention to his other literary elements. His profound symbolism such as Brett

representing unobtainable goals and dreams, is perfectly complimented by his mundane word

choice to describe her. Hemingway is one of the few writers who acknowledges their talent with

understatement. How many writers are able to keep their prose so simple, yet be such an

influential writer in all of literature? Hemingway mastered his conventional style and should win

copious amounts of awards for his contributions to literature.

Hemingways style of detached and simple diction provides his work in The Sun Also

Rises with a new style from any previous author, an element of characterization in his book, and

a way to allow his other stylistic elements to take centerstage leading to the conclusion that

Hemingways unique diction is award worthy. Hemingways writing style allowed for

tremendous advancement to modern prose. Literary critics should be able to see his blunt,

detached diction as a crucial element to his style and worthy of an award.