A Simple Enquiry by Ernest Hemingway
In Ernest Hemingway's A Simple Enquiry, a young American soldier, John, is sent to a small Italian village to investigate a mysterious death. He soon discovers that the death was caused by a local man, and the villagers are determined to keep the truth hidden. As John digs deeper into the case, he finds himself in a dangerous situation, as the villagers become increasingly hostile. He must use his wits and courage to uncover the truth and protect himself from the villagers' wrath. Along the way, he learns about the culture and customs of the village, and discovers the power of friendship and loyalty.
By Ernest Hemingway · First published 1927 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Modernism, Romance · 985 words
First lines
OUTSIDE, THE SNOW WAS HIGHER THAN the window. The sunlight came in through the window and shone on a map on the pineboard wall of the hut. The sun was high and the light came in over the top of the snow. A trench had been cut along the open side of the hut, and each clear day the sun, shining on the wall, reflected heat against the snow and widened the trench. It was late March. The major sat at a table against the wall. His adjutant sat at another table.
What this Textopian page supports
A Simple Enquiry is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ernest Hemingway, dated 1927 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Ernest Hemingway
- Date: 1927 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Modernism, Romance, Adventure
- Length: 985 words
- Structure: 1 section, 33 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Simple Enquiry by Ernest Hemingway
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Simple Enquiry?
- How does this short story by Ernest Hemingway fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — A Simple Enquiry is a classic example of Ernest Hemingway's literary fiction, with its focus on the psychological and emotional complexities of its characters and its sparse, direct writing style.
- Modernism — A Simple Enquiry is a prime example of modernist literature, with its focus on the inner lives of its characters and its exploration of themes such as alienation and the search for meaning in a chaotic world.
- Romance — A Simple Enquiry contains a romantic subplot between two of its characters, exploring the complexities of love and relationships in a modern world.
- Adventure — A Simple Enquiry follows its characters on a journey of self-discovery, with a sense of adventure and exploration of the unknown.
Tags
20th century · adjutant · american and canadian literature · american fiction · boy · bunk · burned · called · careful · door · fingers · floor