SSRJ#2 Hemingway

       The story "Soldier's Home" focuses on the life of a World War I soldier and the events that took place once he returned home. I was immediately sympathetic toward Krebs because of the horrific things he must have witnessed during the war, and even more so as the story went on to describe his emotionless personality and the distance between him and his family. My interpretation of the story was that his life was much different before he left for war, in terms of having more passion, motivation, and happiness. When he returned it seemed as though his time overseas forced him to become a stronger, more sensible person. Surely the things that he faced would affect him in that sense. 

       The symbolism in this story were the photographs mentioned in the beginning. One is of Krebs along with his fellow soldiers, the other is of himself, two German girls, and another soldier on the Rhine. These photographs reveal how Krebs is as a person. While he presents himself with a tough exterior, he could be hiding emotions and thoughts that no one knows about. A picture can only describe a moment so well; there might be a story behind the photograph. Krebs seemed to be content in this story, yet he knew that he wasn't reaching his full potential. He could have a girlfriend, but he didn't want to work for it since he thought the process was far too complicated. He wanted his life to be easy going and without any conflict, and avoided doing anything that might possibly interfere with that peace. 

       Why wouldn't Krebs try to show that he did care for his mother? Why was he so adamant on refraining from forming a relationship between his family or a girl? Why were his thoughts about the young girls in the story so repetitive?