Ernest Hemingway's Ways to Become a Man

Ernest Hemingway is often considered one of the best American authors ever along with Mark Twain. He is usually a hero of many young boys and he is considered by many to be the ultimate adventurer and man's man. If we could all be like Ernest we sure would, so he actually had a set of guidelines to what he thought was the way to manhood. A boy became a man by accomplishing these four tasks. Many people argue that these four tasks are just metaphors for doing something of the like, so if you feel you can't accomplish them, look for something that would take its place in importance.

1. Plant a tree. Simple enough and straight forward. He wants a young male to become a man by giving back to the Earth and giving life to the world. A man has to know what it feels like to do something truly altruistic to become a man. Planting a tree is giving life, helping that tree grow is sustaining it. You'll never feel as close to nature as this when you watch your tree grow over time.

2. Father a son. Hemingway feels that fathering a son is important because it passes on the family name and a man can pass on lessons to his son. Obviously it is impossible to choose whether to father a son or a daughter so I think Hemingway would give you a pass if you can father a child. You don't necessarily have to create that life either, you can adopt and still pass down your life lessons and the life lessons of your father, as long as those lessons stay alive.

3. Fight a bull. Fighting a bull is very dangerous and we all don't have that chance to run with the bulls over in Spain or go out west and down to Mexico and tussle with the great beast. I think this is where most people feel that fighting a bull is a metaphor. I believe this as well, I think Hemingway means you have to take on adversary that is much stronger than you and much more likely to win. A man becomes a man when he looks into the eyes of his own demise and survives.

4. Write a book. Another possible metaphor. Hemingway was a great author and of course he would use his skill as one of the steps into becoming a man. I think by this he meant that you have to create a body of work that will outlast your life. Whether it be a painting, writing a book, or building a house, you have to create something you love that will outlast you and will show your dedication and hard work.