Up in Michigan by Ernest Hemingway
The story follows Liz Coates, a young woman who works in a canning factory in Michigan. She is courted by Jim Gilmore, a local man who works in the woods. Liz is initially uninterested in Jim, but eventually gives in to his advances. The two begin a relationship, but Liz is soon disappointed when she discovers that Jim is not the man she thought he was. He is lazy and irresponsible, and Liz soon realizes that she is not in love with him. When Liz discovers that Jim has been cheating on her, she decides to break off the relationship. She returns to the canning factory, where she is welcomed back by her co-workers. The story ends with Liz reflecting on her experience and realizing that she is better off without Jim. She is content with her life and is looking forward to the future.
By Ernest Hemingway · First published 1923 · Genre: Realism, Regional Fiction, Romance · 1,960 words
First lines
Jim Gilmore came to Hortons Bay from Canada. He bought the blacksmith shop from old man Horton. Jim was short and dark with big mustaches and big hands. He was a good horseshoer and did not look much like a blacksmith even with his leather apron on. He lived upstairs above the blacksmith shop and took his meals at A. J. Smith's.
Liz Coates worked for Smith's. Mrs. Smith, who was a very large clean woman, said Liz Coates was the neatest girl she'd ever seen. Liz had good legs and always wore clean gingham aprons and Jim noticed that her hair was always neat behind. He liked her face because it was so jolly but he never thought about her.
What this Textopian page supports
Up in Michigan is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ernest Hemingway, dated 1923 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: 1923 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Realism, Regional Fiction, Romance, Adventure
- Length: 1,960 words
- Structure: 1 section, 40 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Up in Michigan 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 Up in Michigan?
- How does this short story by Ernest Hemingway fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Realism first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Realism — Ernest Hemingway is known for his writing style of realism, which is characterized by its focus on everyday life and its use of simple language.
- Regional Fiction — The title of the book, 'Up in Michigan', suggests that the story takes place in Michigan, making it a regional fiction.
- Romance — Hemingway is known for his stories of romance, and this book may contain elements of romance as well.
- Adventure — Hemingway is known for his stories of adventure, and this book may contain elements of adventure as well.
Tags
20th century · 20th century fiction · American · American fiction · American poetry · Short stories · afraid · american and canadian literature · bay · bed · blacksmith · chair