From the story the old man at the bridge by Ernest Hemingway: How does Hemingway show that war disrupts the lives of ordinary people ? Is this portrayal realistic ? Explain why you think so.
Answers
The people of Spain have lost their homes, left their livestock and family pets for the sake of war.
They were unable to carry personal belongings such as clothes, jewellery, vehicles etc.
Due to war people are hungry without food, exhausted without rest and travelling without shoes.
I believe that war is dangerous for all.
In the story ‘Old Man at the Bridge’, an old man who has been put in charge of taking care of animals of the village is concerned about the safety of these creatures, prior to an imminent attack by soldiers, during the Spanish civil war.
All people are forced to flee from the attack. But the old man after going some distance is so weighed down by the situation, that he sits down by a bridge and ponders about the fate of the creatures he has left behind. It tires him down physically and he loses all hope of surviving.
This a very realistic portrayal by the author as there are several people who take their responsibilities very seriously and are especially compassionate towards animals.
‘Old Man at the Bridge’ is a short story by Ernest Hemingway (1899 – 1961), which first appeared in Ken Magazine in May 1938.