LukeW+Hemingway

The Hemingway Nobel Prize Speech December 1954

In December 1954 the Nobel Banquet to present those receiving Nobel prizes was held in Stockholm, Sweden. Hemingway was not able to attend the Banquet because of illness. He commented on his inability to give speeches, as he is a writer. He makes it a point to mention that fact multiple times during the speech. The United States Ambassador, John C. Cabot read Hemingway's speech. His speech focuses on what it means to be a writer and how a writer should be. The speech also pays homage to the writers of the past without listing or mentioning any single writer. The speech is a look into the soul of a writer; it captures the confusion of purpose and joy of writing.

Hemingway found a way to put into words how a man writes. A part of the speech that seemed like a cautionary warning is this, "Things may not be immediately discernible in what a man writes, and in this sometimes he is fortunate; but eventually they are quite clear and by these and the degree of alchemy that he possesses he will endure or be forgotten." It is very telling of how Hemingway views himself and how he wishes to be remembered. He is showing how fame has aloud him to be what he wants to be but that with the fame your words can be torn apart. Interpretation may be a gift or a curse. The He also makes it a point to say "Man." How a man writes. It is the one mention of sex in the speech but it illuminates the truth of the "Hemingway Code".

The speech is not without inspiration and despair. He comments on the life of a writer and how it is a lonely profession and that the writer must "face eternity each day." It is a scary thought to be all alone the world that is so full with people and not only writing about them but also critiquing them. The haunting image of forever being alone with the words is to one a death sentence to Hemingway it seems a blessing. Hemingway inspires to write as well announcing, " He should always try for something that has never been done or that others have tried and failed. Then sometimes, with great luck, he will succeed." The simple ending of "A writer should write what he has to say and not speak it." Shows his bitterness to the spoken word and maybe politicians who are endlessly speaking. It should also be noted of what is not present within the two minute speech; family and friends. He leaves his personality out of the speech directly and foucses on more so on plainly writing. It is what is most important to him and should not have to answer to anyone else besides himself.

Before the speech was read H.S. Nyberg, a member of the Swedish Academy made some comments that are perhaps more truthful than the actual speech. He mentions Hemingway's "eagle eye" that has accuratly portrayed the ways human struggle. It is with honesty that readers are able to relate to the texts of Hemingway. In the Sun Also Rises we are able to find a common ground in the struggle of relationships and our sexual desires that cannot be left unsaid. Hemingway is able to face such situations with a brash realism that holds up the mirror leaves no real answers but asks the question allowing us to see our grotesque.

Here is a link to the actual text of the speech and a recording of the speech []

Works Cited NobelPrize.org[]