The online tool for teaching with documents, from the National Archives

Ernest Hemingway: Life and Works

Seeing the Big Picture

All documents and text associated with this activity are printed below, followed by a worksheet for student responses.

Introduction

Ernest Hemingway was one of the most influential American authors of the 20th century. His unique style is evident in a series of works published throughout his lifetime. Though rarely seen as a memoirist, many of Hemingway's most famous works have connections to important events in his life. 

Examine each photograph and match it with the correct title of a work of fiction by Ernest Hemingway. Pay particular attention to the setting (both time and place) of the photographs, and the events and activities that Ernest Hemingway is participating in.


Name:
Class:

Worksheet

Ernest Hemingway: Life and Works

Seeing the Big Picture

Examine the documents and text included in this activity. Consider how each document or piece of text relates to each other and create matched pairs. Write the text or document number next to its match below. Write your conclusion response in the space provided.

1
2
3
4
5
6



1

Activity Element



For Whom the Bell Tolls


2

Activity Element



A Farewell to Arms


3

Activity Element




4

Activity Element




5

Activity Element




6

Activity Element



To Have and Have Not


7

Activity Element



True at First Light


8

Activity Element



The Old Man and the Sea


9

Activity Element



The Sun Also Rises


10

Activity Element




11

Activity Element




12

Activity Element




Culminating Document

Ernest Hemingway Receiving his 1954 Nobel Prize for Literature

1954

This photograph shows Swedish Ambassador to Cuba, Per Gunnar Vilhelm Aurell, presenting the 1954 Nobel Prize for Literature to Ernest Hemingway at his home in Finca Vigia, San Francisco de Paula, Cuba.
This primary source comes from the Collection JFK-EHEMC: Ernest Hemingway Collection.
Full Citation: Ernest Hemingway Receiving his 1954 Nobel Prize for Literature; 1954; Photographs: Cuba Years, 1939-1960, 12/24/1940 - 8/4/1960; Collection JFK-EHEMC: Ernest Hemingway Collection, ; John F. Kennedy Library, Boston, MA. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/hemingway-nobel-prize, April 19, 2024]


Ernest Hemingway Receiving his 1954 Nobel Prize for Literature

Page 1



Conclusion

Ernest Hemingway: Life and Works

Seeing the Big Picture

This photograph shows Ernest Hemingway receiving the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1954 for "for his mastery of the art of narrative, most recently demonstrated in The Old Man and the Sea, and for the influence that he has exerted on contemporary style." The Old Man and the Sea, Hemingway's final major work published in his lifetime, also received the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.

  • Based on the photographs and what you know about Ernest Hemingway's life and fiction, which work do you think was the closest to his real life experience? Explain your opinion.


Your Response




Document

Ernest Hemingway and Agnes von Kurowsky in Milan, Italy

ca. 1918

This photograph shows American Red Cross nurse, Agnes von Kurowsky, and American Red Cross volunteer, Ernest Hemingway in Milan, Italy.
This primary source comes from the Collection JFK-EHEMC: Ernest Hemingway Collection.
Full Citation: Ernest Hemingway and Agnes von Kurowsky in Milan, Italy; ca. 1918; Photographs: Wars, 1917-1945, 4/1/1917 - 3/8/1945; Collection JFK-EHEMC: Ernest Hemingway Collection, ; John F. Kennedy Library, Boston, MA. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/ernest-hemingway-and-agnes-von-kurowsky-in-milan-italy, April 19, 2024]


Ernest Hemingway and Agnes von Kurowsky in Milan, Italy

Page 1



Document

Ernest and Mary Hemingway in Africa.

ca. 1953 - 1954

This photograph shows Ernest and Mary Hemingway near huts while on safari in Africa.
This primary source comes from the Collection JFK-EHEMC: Ernest Hemingway Collection.
Full Citation: Ernest and Mary Hemingway in Africa.; ca. 1953 - 1954; Photographs: Africa, 1933/1934, 1953/1954, 11/22/1933 - 3/10/1954; Collection JFK-EHEMC: Ernest Hemingway Collection, ; John F. Kennedy Library, Boston, MA. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/ernest-and-mary-hemingway-in-africa, April 19, 2024]


Ernest and Mary Hemingway in Africa.

Page 1



Document

Ernest Hemingway during the Spanish Civil War

ca. 1937-1938

This photograph shows Ernest Hemingway with film cameraman, Joris Ivens, and two soldiers during the Spanish Civil War.
This primary source comes from the Collection JFK-EHEMC: Ernest Hemingway Collection.
Full Citation: Ernest Hemingway during the Spanish Civil War; ca. 1937-1938; Photographs: Wars, 1917-1945, 4/1/1917 - 3/8/1945; Collection JFK-EHEMC: Ernest Hemingway Collection, ; John F. Kennedy Library, Boston, MA. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/ernest-hemingway-during-the-spanish-civil-war, April 19, 2024]


Ernest Hemingway during the Spanish Civil War

Page 1



Document

Ernest Hemingway Fighting a Bull in Pamplona, Spain

ca.1925

This photograph shows Ernest Hemingway fighting a bull in "The Amateurs," Pamplona, Spain.
This primary source comes from the Collection JFK-EHEMC: Ernest Hemingway Collection.
Full Citation: Ernest Hemingway Fighting a Bull in Pamplona, Spain; ca.1925; Photographs: Paris Years, 1922-1930, 1/1/1922 - 1/10/1930; Collection JFK-EHEMC: Ernest Hemingway Collection, ; John F. Kennedy Library, Boston, MA. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/ernest-hemingway-fighting-a-bull-in-pamplona-spain, April 19, 2024]


Ernest Hemingway Fighting a Bull in Pamplona, Spain

Page 1



Document

Ernest Hemingway at the wheel of his boat, Pilar, with Havana in the background, Cuba.

ca. 1950s

This photograph shows Ernest Hemingway at the wheel of his boat, Pilar, with Havana in the background, Cuba.
This primary source comes from the Collection JFK-EHEMC: Ernest Hemingway Collection.
Full Citation: Ernest Hemingway at the wheel of his boat, Pilar, with Havana in the background, Cuba.; ca. 1950s; Photographs: Cuba Years, 1939-1960, 12/24/1940 - 8/4/1960; Collection JFK-EHEMC: Ernest Hemingway Collection, ; John F. Kennedy Library, Boston, MA. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/ernest-hemingway-aboard-the-pilar-1950s, April 19, 2024]


Ernest Hemingway at the wheel of his boat, Pilar, with Havana in the background, Cuba.

Page 1



Document

Ernest Hemingway at the wheel of his boat, Pilar, with Carlos Gutierrez.

ca. 1934

This photograph shows Ernest Hemingway at the wheel of his boat, Pilar, with Carlos Gutierrez.
This primary source comes from the Collection JFK-EHEMC: Ernest Hemingway Collection.
Full Citation: Ernest Hemingway at the wheel of his boat, Pilar, with Carlos Gutierrez.; ca. 1934; Photographs: Key West Years, 1928-1939, 3/17/1928 - 12/24/1939; Collection JFK-EHEMC: Ernest Hemingway Collection, ; John F. Kennedy Library, Boston, MA. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/ernest-hemingway-at-the-wheel-of-his-boat-pilar-with-carlos-gutierrez, April 19, 2024]


Ernest Hemingway at the wheel of his boat, Pilar, with Carlos Gutierrez.

Page 1