An Analysis of Modernist Features in “The Snows of Kilimanjaro”  
Abstract

Hemingway is one of the most significant figures in the American literature in the twentieth century. His works are distinguished by the code heroes and outstanding style, and have a significant impact on the world literature. Hemingway studies have constantly attracted scholars and critics in the past centuries. However, academic energy has been put on the research of his novels and novella rather than his short stories in the past years. In the recent years, his short stories have been studies from all aspects of his stories. "The Snows of Kilimanjaro", as one of his best short stories, used to be studied with Hemingway's other works together. Few people study it from the perspective of its modernist features.

This thesis maintains that this short story contains the distinct modernist features in both the theme and the writing technique, which is rarely noticed and yet to be analyzed by critics. "The Snows of Kilimanjaro" manifest one of the most prominent themes in modernist literature—alienation. Moreover, the alienation in this story can be categorized into four types: alienation of men from others; alienation of men from society; alienation of men from nature and alienation of men from things. In terms of the style, Hemingway applies strategies of symbolism and streams of consciousness narrative.

This thesis consists of five chapters. The first chapter gives a brief introduction to the thematic significance of “The Snows of Kilimanjaro” from the perspective of modernist features. The second chapter gives a survey of the review of this story and makes clear the characteristics of the modernist characteristics. The third chapter studies the four types of alienation in the story. The fourth chapter illustrates particular application of the streams of consciousness narrative and analyzes symbolic implication of some images in this story. The fifth chapter is a conclusion of the thesis.

Key words: The Snows of Kilimanjaro, Modernism, Alienation, Technique