Letter from Hadley to Ernest
Dublin Core
Title
Letter from Hadley to Ernest
Description
The spring of 1926 was a very eventful period for Ernest Hemingway– for one reason being that the first edition of In Our Time was published. During this time he was also able to free himself of the obligations of his publishers, Boni and Liveright, and had earned a contract with Scribner to have both The Torrents of Spring and The Sun Also Rises published.
While most would believe this was a period for optimism to make it’s way throughout the Hemingway Household, this was a period of tension and anxiety for all. Amongst all that there was to be celebrated, 1926 was also the year that Hadley had confronted Ernest, after discovering his affair with Pauline Pfeiffer– in which they both had decided to attempt to save the marriage. While Hadley and Ernest had extended a vacation, which might have ultimately saved their marriage, their son Bumby had come down with whopping cough, which separated the two of them for several weeks. Pauline was ultimately brought back into their lives by coincidence.
Before 1926 ended, Hadley and Ernest had filed for a divorce, Ernest contemplated suicide, and he and Pauline agreed to marry and leave for Paris. Hadley’s letters to Ernest in May of 1926 hold great importance, because this was certainly a time of intense emotions and divided loyalty, especially for Hadley. The tone of Ernest and Hadley’s marriage shows through in a letter Hadley wrote to Ernest on May 20th, 1926, while Hadley was in Spain visiting friends.
It is fascinating to notice the way that Hadley speaks to Ernest throughout this letter, addressing him “Dearest & well-beloved Waxin,” and concluding the letter with “Your longing-to-comfort-a-lovely-Wax-puppy-arms-around. Mummy Kitten.” Hadley also makes a joke in the letter, inviting Pauline to spend the summer with her and Ernest, possibly referencing the irony of Ernest sharing his summer with his wife and his lover.
Despite Hadley being aware of the affair, she still speaks to Ernest as if he is her lover, and only hers. This letter not only depicts what is going on in the life of the Hemingway’s in 1926, but also showcases the relationship between men and women– even in the case of an affair, the woman was still expected to respect and man, and treat him as her equal.
While most would believe this was a period for optimism to make it’s way throughout the Hemingway Household, this was a period of tension and anxiety for all. Amongst all that there was to be celebrated, 1926 was also the year that Hadley had confronted Ernest, after discovering his affair with Pauline Pfeiffer– in which they both had decided to attempt to save the marriage. While Hadley and Ernest had extended a vacation, which might have ultimately saved their marriage, their son Bumby had come down with whopping cough, which separated the two of them for several weeks. Pauline was ultimately brought back into their lives by coincidence.
Before 1926 ended, Hadley and Ernest had filed for a divorce, Ernest contemplated suicide, and he and Pauline agreed to marry and leave for Paris. Hadley’s letters to Ernest in May of 1926 hold great importance, because this was certainly a time of intense emotions and divided loyalty, especially for Hadley. The tone of Ernest and Hadley’s marriage shows through in a letter Hadley wrote to Ernest on May 20th, 1926, while Hadley was in Spain visiting friends.
It is fascinating to notice the way that Hadley speaks to Ernest throughout this letter, addressing him “Dearest & well-beloved Waxin,” and concluding the letter with “Your longing-to-comfort-a-lovely-Wax-puppy-arms-around. Mummy Kitten.” Hadley also makes a joke in the letter, inviting Pauline to spend the summer with her and Ernest, possibly referencing the irony of Ernest sharing his summer with his wife and his lover.
Despite Hadley being aware of the affair, she still speaks to Ernest as if he is her lover, and only hers. This letter not only depicts what is going on in the life of the Hemingway’s in 1926, but also showcases the relationship between men and women– even in the case of an affair, the woman was still expected to respect and man, and treat him as her equal.
Source
Journal of Modern Literature, Vol. 15, No. 1 (Summer, 1988), pp. 146-158
Publisher
Indiana University Press
Date
May 1926
Rights
Journal of Modern Literature, Vol. 15, No. 1 (Summer, 1988)
Format
Handwritten letter
Files
Citation
“Letter from Hadley to Ernest
,” Manhattan College Omeka , accessed May 17, 2024, https://omeka-pilot.manhattan.edu/items/show/89.
,” Manhattan College Omeka , accessed May 17, 2024, https://omeka-pilot.manhattan.edu/items/show/89.