Analysis of Pamplona In July - Ernest Hemingway

Ernest Hemingway was an American novelist, writer of short stories, and a journalist.  Pamplona In July was written in 1923, in which Hemingway describes his trip to Pamplona, Spain with his family to see bullfighting.  Pamplona, a town in the hills of Navarre, held the World Series of bull fighting each year in the first two weeks of July.  Through this narrative, Ernest Hemingway brings the reader along to experience his trip and the culture of Pamplona which makes them feel like they are right beside the Hemingways. Since the piece is written for those who enjoy adventures and travel,  Hemingway uses strong, descriptive diction throughout the essay to fully explain the culture and his trip to Spain.  He begins to explain his first sight of the bulls, saying, “Eight bulls galloping alone, full tilt, heavy set, black, glistening, sinister, there horns bare, tossing their heads,” (Hemingway 101).  This sentence has a very unique sense of diction as it utilizes so many different adjectives in order to help the reader understand what is fully going on.  Hemingway’s diction not only helps the reader understand his trip, but it also makes them feel like they are with him.  Another rhetorical device that he uses throughout the essay is figurative language.  He starts to tell of the reactions of the bulls, stating, “Then the bull will turn like a cat and get somebody who has been acting very brave about ten feet behind him.” (Hemingway 102) The use of a simile in this sentence helps paint a picture for the reader.  Rather than describing the actions of the bull, he goes on to use figurative language to truly capture the reader in his description.  Throughout this essay, Ernest Hemingway had the aid of rhetorical devices to fully present his story and display the culture and experiences he had on this trip.  I personally feel more knowledgeable of the culture of bullfighting and feel more eager to visit Pamplona, Spain.  If I get to go there, Ernest Hemingway’s use of diction and imagery will be the first thoughts to come into my mind.

"Then the bull will turn like a cat and get somebody who has been acting very brave about ten feet behind him." (Hemingway 102)  - http://ehto.thestar.com/marks/bullfighting-is-not-a-sport-it-is-a-tragedy