The Character of the American Wife in Ernest Hemingway's Cat in the Rain

The American wife in Hemingway's, "Cat in the Rain" appears first and foremost young. And with her youth, come the foibles of the young. In her first utterance she uses the word "kitty," then later in reference to the cat, she says "cat" in petulance, when she says, "Anyway, I want a cat . . . I want a cat now." The only thing missing is the folding of her arms, a protruding lip, and stamping of her foot.

The character seems to typify the young American women of pomp and privilege. Not unlike the women who consistently grab headlines today.

We see further proof of her youth in her list of desires: her own silver, candles, new clothes, long hair (whose growth will take too long) and fun. In youth, self is all-important; even the padrone's willingness to provide her immediate wishes engenders her like of him regardless of his apparent age.

In this last observation, 'I want,' is the predominate theme. This is readily seen in all manner of youth today. A behavior of entitlement oozes from the character, in a fashion disturbingly familiar in our present time.

Contrary to her youth, she wants her hair tied severely in a bun at her neck, in imitation of a woman of stature.

The desire to emulate a mature woman is a refreshingly redeeming quality of Hemingway's American wife. One sadly missing from many of our current youth, where the desire to be "forever young," has supplanted the hope for achieving respect, and even wisdom.

The American wife is young, self-centered, bored, dissatisfied, and conflicted. The divergence within Hemingway's American wife is a natural transition from girl to woman. Part of it unconscious, part of it conscious.

How far removed is this long-ago character from the women of our time? With the ongoing extension of youth in our society, where "30 is the new 20, 40 is the new 30," etc. I think that perhaps the behavior remains consistent to some extent, but the age in which the girl grows into a woman is much later in life, if in fact it ever transpires at all.

The issue that plagues the modern American girl is the notion that growing up is something "yucky," and loathsome. Notice that even the mothers of the headliners are frequently little more than be-wrinkled teens themselves!

Is there some kind of regression of responsibility surging in the currents of our modern life? Are we privy to its insidious nature when we are inundated with 'news' of the latest exploits of these adult-size children? Do we care enough to formulate a remedy?

Upon first look at the American wife, I was disdainful of her youthful follies. Looking further, seeing more depth in her behavior, I realize that she is very likely, still very young. Moreover, in her true youth, I can find forgiveness for her sense of entitlement. Especially when coupled with the American wife's budding hope of becoming a woman.

I am hard-pressed to find these redemptive attributes in many girls of today. Our girls, who desire silliness, who worship self, who refuse all responsibility distasteful or contrary to fun, are ill-equipped to handle the truths of life. Allowing this is a disservice to them, and is counter to a good future of our society.