What Is The Main Conflict In 'In Another Country'?

The main conflict in 'In Another Country' centers on the psychological and emotional struggles of wounded soldiers recovering in Italy during World War I. The protagonist, an American officer, grapples with isolation and disillusionment as he undergoes treatment alongside Italian soldiers. The hospital setting becomes a microcosm of war's futility—each man carries physical scars, but the deeper wounds are existential. The protagonist's detachment from his surroundings mirrors Hemingway's signature theme of 'the lost generation.' There's no grand battlefield here; the real fight is against despair, the creeping doubt that their sacrifices meant anything. The conflict stays internal, unresolved, just like the war itself.

Reading 'In Another Country,' I was struck by how Hemingway layers multiple conflicts beneath the surface. The obvious one is war's aftermath—soldiers dealing with broken bodies and shattered ideals. But the subtler tension lies in cultural alienation. The American protagonist never truly connects with the Italians, despite sharing trauma. Their camaraderie feels performative, like they're all playing roles to mask pain.

Then there's the conflict with technology. The machines meant to heal their wounds become symbols of false hope. The major's wife dies, rendering his rehabilitation meaningless. Hemingway strips war of glory, showing how even survival leaves you hollow. The story's genius is making silence speak louder than battle cries—every avoided conversation, every stiff interaction carries the weight of unspoken grief.

It's also worth noting the temporal conflict. These men are stuck in limbo between war and peace, unable to return to their old lives but with no clear future. The protagonist's mechanical therapy sessions mirror this stagnation—repetitive motions going nowhere. The real enemy isn't the opposing army; it's time itself, eroding their purpose.

What makes 'In Another Country' so gripping isn't just the war—it's how Hemingway frames conflict through absence. The major's grief for his dead wife overshadows his physical wounds. His refusal to talk about her speaks volumes; that void becomes the central struggle. Meanwhile, the protagonist watches Italian soldiers boast about medals earned through luck, not valor. Their bravado clashes with his quiet cynicism.

Hemingway masterfully uses weather as a conflict too. The cold Milanese autumn mirrors their emotional frost—no warmth, just gradual decay. Even the hospital's location heightens tension; they're safe in another country, yet still prisoners of war's consequences. The story suggests that some battles can't be won, only endured.

If this resonates, try 'A Farewell to Arms.' It expands similar themes with deeper character arcs. For something more experimental, 'The Sun Also Rises' explores postwar disillusionment through different lenses.