Characterization of Francis Macomber in "The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber".
The ways that Francis Macomber did, said, and thought things as well as the way he interacted with other characters in the short story "The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber" gives great insight to his character. The author does this without telling about him, but just by showing him saying, thinking, doing, and interacting with the other characters. From this indirect presentation, many of Macomber's motivations can be uncovered.
The things that Francis Macomber did all had underlying motivations. First of all, the setting for the story is him going on safari. He seems to be trying to gain some status with his peers. His first concern after returning from the lion hunt is whether or not people outside of the hunting trip will find out about his cowardly display. He insults Wilson by asking "It doesn't have to go any further, does it? I mean, no one will hear about it, will they?" His safari is all about trying to impress other people, something to add to his four letters and his prowess at court games and his big-game fishing records, all of which he does as a way of saying to his colleagues, "Look how manly I am.".
Francis Macomber also says a great deal of things that give us insight into his character. He is very unsure of himself and does not want to do the wrong thing in front of other people, so he constantly is asking for the advice of Wilson. He asks "What had I ought to give them?" in reference to tipping the staff. This shows again how he worries about saving face in front of others, and also that he is out of his element on the safari. When he shoots the impala, he asks "Is it a worthwhile head?" which shows him again worrying about other people. He has no opinion of the quality of his kill, just the need to know that other people will like it. Then when they encounter the lion for the first time, he asks "Why not shoot him from where I am?" in reference to the car.
