Earnest Hemingway's "The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber" details why .
people are content with life, not happy. Macomber is a handsome man who can have anything he desires yet he leads a mediocre life. He does no contain the knowledge to defend his actions; his temperament will not permit it. Macomber is a very unhappy man, whose newfound happiness is a direct consequence to the end of his life.
On several accounts Margot insults her husband, and he does nothing to correct her. After returning from the lion hunt she states "I"ll have a gimlet too. I need something" (77). She implies her embarrassment by his cowardice toward the lion. Macomber responds "I suppose it's [drinking] the thing to do" (77) and continues on as if nothing is amiss. Macomber is not a virile man; he lacks the audacity to stand up for himself resulting in the deterioration of his character. Margot again publicly acknowledges her embarrassment of her husband's behavior by saying, "It's mine [Margot's face] that's red today" (79) suggesting she will be stereotyped as a coward through association to her husband. Macomber acts as if he never heard her. Then Wilson begins to insult him saying " in Africa no woman ever misses her lion and no white man ever bolts" (81). Wilson is deliberately insulting Macomber and instead of being furious he pays no attention. .
A good defense is a key to survival. Macomber catches his wife committing adultery after she has promised to stop and decides he is finished with her. He is tired of being scorned and realizes his main flaw is fear. He knows Margot will not leave him even tough he is a coward. Macomber challenges his wife saying, "You won't leave me" (95) and she replies "No, I won't leave you- (95). She has too much to lose and she knows it. Macomber realizes that life has never been any happier than this moment, he plans to enjoy this new reality that it is too wonderful to leave.
