In “The Three-Day Blow,” Nick and Bill act as foils for each other. While, at first, it seems like the men are the same—they both stoically discuss whiskey, baseball, and literature together while drinking by the fire—the differences between the men become clear. For example, while Bill is comfortable vocalizing his opinions, Nick tends to be on the quieter, more introspective side. Additionally, Bill believes that the two men are in agreement about the pointlessness of marriage, while Nick clearly longs to get back together with his ex-girlfriend Marjorie and build a life with her.
The following passage captures these significant differences between the two men:
“You were very wise, Wemedge,” Bill said.
“What do you mean?” asked Nick.
“To bust off that Marge business,” Bill said.
“I guess so,” said Nick.
“It was the only thing to do. If you hadn’t, by now you’d be back home working trying to get enough money to get married.”
Nick said nothing.
“Once a man’s married he’s absolutely bitched,” Bill went on. “He hasn’t got anything more. Nothing. Not a damn thing. He’s done for. You’ve seen the guys that get married.”
Nick said nothing.
Here, Bill’s assertiveness reveals Nick’s passivity and difference of opinion. Bill tells Nick that he was “very wise” to end his relationship because he’d “be back home working trying to get enough money to get married” and end up “absolutely bitched” if he did end up married. The fact that “Nick said nothing” two separate times after Bill’s mini tirades (and derogatory language) shows that he is actually not in agreement the way that Bill thinks that he is.
Ultimately, Hemingway is revealing that while both men are similar, Bill embodies the experience of the Lost Generation more than Nick does: he doesn’t want to get married, work a dull job, or do what is expected of him. He wants to drink, fish, read, and be free from social constraints. Nick, on the other hand, does want a wife and a family. This tension underlies their relationship throughout the story.
