Hemmingway is masterful at saying something without saying it. I believe the sign of a true classic is different readers being able to find different meanings and symbolism in the same story. This story does that. What I saw in it was people putting up the front of happiness while being empty and void of any joy on the inside. Hemmingway's own inner unhappiness comes through in this text in such a revealing way. It made the pain of the protagonist all the more palpable.

Although it had many messages and social commentaries, at heart it's a love story. A man who can't be with the woman he loves. Ahhh the tragic love story, I'm such a sucker for it.

I thoroughly enjoyed its themes and symbolism. The satisfaction of being able to really dig my teeth into the subtext and find my own truths in it is why I'm a reader.