In the story "The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber" by Ernest Hemingway, one of the most shocking moments occurs when Mrs. Macomber shoots her husband, Francis. Hemingway leaves the reader to answer the crucial question of whether or not it was intentional. .
Throughout the story the Macombers have a turbulent relationship. Their relationship seems to be a power struggle, each one has a hold on the other that they believe, or want, to be stronger than the other's hold. The narrator suggests this on page18 of the story by writing: "Margot was too beautiful for Macomber to leave her and Macomber had too much money for Margot to ever leave him." This is indicative of their behavior throughout the story. One gets the feeling that Mrs. Macomber wishes her husband to be more brave and powerful. Mr. Wilson possesses these qualities, which is why Margot flirts with him and admires him. Being around Mr. Wilson shows Margot what is lacking in her husband more than she previously realized.
The real problems begin when Macomber, Wilson and Margot go hunting lions. Macomber shoots poorly and flushes the lion into a space where it can not be seen easily, as Wilson says: "Can't see him until you're on him." (Page 14). As the two men go to clear the lion out, he (the lion) charges and Macomber can not kill the lion without Wilson's help. This is when Mrs. Macomber begins to think of her husband as a coward. In an attempt to gain some of his wife's lost respect for him, Macomber decides that the next day they will hunt for buffalo. That night, Mrs. Macomber and Mr. Wilson sleep together. Unfortunately for Mrs. Macomber, her husband finds out. They go about the day as planned until they reach some buffalo. Again, Macomber's poor aim and judgment lead to trouble. One buffalo gets shot and seeks refuge in a small clearing. Macomber and Wilson, thinking he is still alive, reach the clearing and are informed by the gun-bearer that he (the buffalo) is dead.
