The End of Something
The End of Something is a short story by Ernest Hemingway, first published in 1925. It tells the story of Nick Adams and Marjorie, two young lovers who have been together for some time. As the story progresses, it becomes clear that their relationship is coming to an end. Nick and Marjorie go out on a boat ride, and Nick reflects on their relationship and the changes that have occurred. He realizes that their relationship is over, and he is left feeling sad and confused. The story ends with Nick and Marjorie parting ways, and Nick is left to ponder the end of something that was once so special.
By Ernest Hemingway · First published 1925 · Genre: Realism, Modernism, Romance · 1,439 words
First lines
IN THE OLD DAYS HORTONS BAY WAS A lumbering town. No one who lived in it was out of sound of the big saws in the mill by the lake. Then one year there were no more logs to make lumber. The lumber schooners came into the bay and were loaded with the cut of the mill that stood stacked in the yard. All the piles of lumber were carried away. The big mill building had all its machinery that was removable taken out and hoisted on board one of the schooners by the men who had worked in the mill. The schooner moved out of the bay toward the open lake carrying the two great saws, the travelling carriage that hurled the logs against the revolving, circular saws and all the rollers, wheels, belts and iron piled on a hull-deep load of lumber. Its open hold covered with canvas and lashed tight, the sails of the schooner filled and it moved out into the open lake, carrying with it everything that had made the mill a mill and Hortons Bay a town.
What this Textopian page supports
The End of Something is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ernest Hemingway, dated 1925 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: 1925 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Realism, Modernism, Romance, Literary Fiction
- Length: 1,439 words
- Structure: 1 section, 50 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The End of Something by Ernest Hemingway
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The End of Something?
- How does this short story by Ernest Hemingway fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Realism first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- Hills Like White Elephants by Ernest Hemingway
- Now I Lay Me by Ernest Hemingway
- Big Two Hearted River Part I by Ernest Hemingway
Genres
- Realism — The End of Something is a classic example of Ernest Hemingway's realist writing style, which focuses on the mundane details of everyday life and the struggles of ordinary people.
- Modernism — The End of Something is a modernist work, as it explores themes of alienation, disillusionment, and the search for meaning in a rapidly changing world.
- Romance — The End of Something is a romance novel, as it follows the story of a couple's relationship and its eventual dissolution.
- Literary Fiction — The End of Something is a work of literary fiction, as it is a thoughtful exploration of the human condition and the complexities of relationships.
Tags
20th century · american and canadian literature · american fiction · bait · bay · beach · blanket · boat · called · coming · cut · dark