hemingway and faulkner

A conversation.
By Ernest Hemingway and William Faulkner

Waiter: (walking toward the table). “What do you want?” [n1] (Hemingway 159).

“Another Brandy,” [n2] (Hemingway 159).

Faulkner: (To Hemingway) “You’ll be Drunk.” [n3] (Hemingway 159).

Hemingway: (To Faulkner) “I’m sleepy now.” [n4] (Hemingway 159).

Hemingway: (motioned toward the (Hemingway 159) waiter (Hemingway 159). “Last week he tried to commit suicide.” [n5] (Hemingway 159).

Faulkner: (To Hemingway)“Why?” [n6] (Hemingway 159).

Hemingway: (To Faulkner) “He was in despair.” [n7] (Hemingway 159).

Faulkner: (To Hemingway) “What about?” [n8] (Hemingway 159).

Hemingway: (To Faulkner) “How should I know?” [n9] (Hemingway 159)

Faulkner: (To Hemingway) “What did he want to kill himself for?” [n10] (Hemingway 159)

Hemingway: (To Faulkner) “He (Faulkner 109) received a note on paper of an archaic shape, in a thin, flowing calligraphy in faded ink.” [n11] (Faulkner 109).

Faulkner: (To Hemingway) “What about?” [n12] (Hemingway 159)

Hemingway: (To Faulkner) “A neighbor, a women, complained to the mayor.(Faulkner 110). Accusing him of smelling bad.”([n13] Faulkner 110).

Faulkner: (To Hemingway) “We really must do something about it.” [n14] (Faulkner 110).

Hemingway: (To Faulkner) “No.” (Hemingway 161).

Faulkner: (To Hemingway) “Why?” (Hemingway 159).

Hemingway: (To Faulkner) “Will you accuse (Faulkner 110) to his (Faulkner 110) face of smelling bad?” (Faulkner 110). [n15]

Faulkner: (To Hemingway) “Dammit, sir.” [n16] (Faulkner 110).

Hemingway: (To Faulkner) “He’ll stay all night.” [n17] (Hemingway 159).

Faulkner: (To Hemingway) “I never get into bed before three o’ clock.” [n18] (Hemingway 159).

Hemingway: (To Faulkner) “Why?” (Hemingway 159).

Faulkner: (To Hemingway) “I (Hemingway 159) stay all night[n19] .” (Hemingway 159).

Hemingway: (To Faulkner) “I’m sleepy now.” [n20] (Hemingway 159)

Faulkner: (To Hemingway. Almost whispering.) “You should have killed yourself last week.” (Hemingway 159)

[n21] Hemingway: (To Faulkner) “A little more.” [n22] (Hemingway 159)

Faulkner: (To Hemingway) “What do you want?” [n23] (Hemingway 159)

Hemingway: (To Faulkner) “Another Brandy.” [n24] (Hemingway 159)

Faulkner: (To the waiter) “He’s drunk every night.” [n25] (Hemingway 159)

Waiter: (To Faulkner) “The guard will pick him up.” [n26] (Hemingway 159)

Faulkner: (To the waiter) “No.” (Faulkner 109)


[n1]I began my conversation off with a statement from the waiter to Hemingway. I took this like from his dialogue because I believe it would allow for a strong beginning to the conversation between Hemingway and Faulkner. It would also allow for an opening that involves the waiter who in the dialogue had tried to commit suicide.

[n2]This line was also chosen from Hemingway’s story because I believe it also helped with the dialogue. In the story itself the old man if getting more and more drunk and I thought it would spice up the conversation if he was a little bit tipsy as appose to being completely sober.

[n3]This quote, although stating the obvious, helps the dialogue as well. It shows that Faulkner wants to have a civilized conversation with Hemingway but it isn’t going to go that ways because Hemingway is drunk.


[n4]This quote was also taken from Hemingway’s story. There is a lot more dialogue in Hemingway’s story and it is easier to get all of the dialogue from that story.

[n5]This quote is exactly what the Hemingway’s story was about. The old man in the story had tried to commit suicide much like what the waiter in this conversation had done. It allows the dialogue to continue..

[n6]This word was taken also from the dialogue in Hemingway’s story.

[n7]This is the reason the waiter had committed suicide. I took it from the dialogue in Hemingway’s story as well.

[n8]This is a simple statement that I thought would lead to another topic in the conversation.

[n9]Almost hints at a little bit of attitude in Hemingway’s voice. Could be because he is drunk or it could be a little hint at annoyance or hate.

[n10]This quote almost sounds like improper English and I thought it would be important for this conversation.

[n11]This quote is a phrase taken from Faulkner’s story and it usually wouldn’t have fit with the dialogue but it provides a good mysterious reason as to why he had tried to commit suicide.

[n12]This is another little passage taken from Hemingway’s story in order to keep adding to the conversation..

[n13]This quote is from Faulkner’s story and it gives the actual reason for the waiter trying to commit suicide by reason you could say.

[n14]I put this quote because it shows that Fauolkner cares about the waiter even though he doesn’t really know him. You can see the tone of the conversation as changing much throughout the piece

[n15]This is a rhetorical question that helps add to the mystery of my conversation just like how Faulkner and Hemingway add mystery to their pieces.

[n16]Another quote I took from Faulkner’s story. It shows the frustration in the conversation and in Faulkner not just at the fact that they cant help but also at the fact that he is little bit drunk which frustrates him.

[n17]Maybe because he has no home like the old man in the story.

[n18]It seems as though he is blaming Hemingway for his reason to not be able to sleep it makes you wonder.

[n19]He replies to the question much like the bartender does in Hemingway’s story.

[n20]Relates back to the beginning of the conversation,

[n21]A really rude and in formal way to address someone who you do not like. This sets the tone of the story and it also sets the tone of this conversation.

[n22]This passage is trying to keep the conversation alive.

[n23]Is the same quote from the beginning of the conversation

[n24]Same with this one as well.

[n25]Describes how Hemingway is and is almost insulting him as well.

[n26]The last quote that finally wraps up the whole conversation.