This essay explores five short stories of Hemingway - each of them presenting incidents of
alcohol use. There are not random
events, but they serve as turning points or rites of passage in the
life of Nicholas (Nick) Adams. The six stories explored are: "The Light of the World,"(Hemingway, 1972b) "The Last Good Country," (Hemingway, 1972c) "Night Before Landing," (Hemingway, 1972d) "A Way You'll Never Be,"(Hemingway, 1972a) "Cross Country Snow" (Hemingway, 1972e) and "Fathers and Sons." (Hemingway, 1972f) While the first five stories are detailed-especially with the significance of
alcohol-the last story marks a point where life comes full circle.