In Ernest Hemingway's "The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber," the protagonist Francis Macomber undergoes a change in personality. Francis is initially a rather dull and apprehensive person. Even his name, which is sexually ambivalent, recalls the idea of a coward. Furthermore, Francis is afraid to even suggest to his wife what to do. However Francis becomes a strong and courageous man. Credit for his transformation goes to his endurance of mental abuse, his struggle with fear and embarrassment, and his development of deep hatred.
One cause of the change in the personality of Francis Macomber can be attributed to the constant mental abuse he suffers at the hands of his wife and Robert Wilson. Francis and Margaret have obviously reached a stand still in their feelings for each other and in their desire for their relationship. Also, even though, for the most part, Robert Wilson's feelings are kept within the confines of his own mind, the effects of his thoughts still exist. To illustrate, Robert thinks to himself, "So he's a bloody four-letter man as well as a bloody coward. I rather liked him too until today." The abusive remarks, thoughts, and actions of Robert and Margaret are central factors in contributing to the changes that take place in the personality of Francis Macomber.
Francis's internal struggle with fear and embarrassment is a paramount factor in his transformation. Firstly, Francis wounds a lion and runs away in fear. Moreover, Robert contributes outwardly to Francis's feelings of embarrassment by bedding Margaret and worsens the situation when he answers "Topping" to Francis's inquiry into his previous night's sleep .The incident with the lion clearly instigates an incredible fear within Francis. However, this feeling combined with multiple situations of inconceivable embarrassment results in the transformation of Francis Macomber into a new man.
A final and essential contributing factor to Francis Macomber's ultimate transformation is the hatred that forms within him.
