“The Three-Day Blow” is a semi-autobiographical short story, or what some scholars today might call a work of “autofiction.” This is a type of literature that combines fictional storytelling with true details about an author’s life. For example, Hemingway came of age during World War I (like Nick and Bill in the story), took trips to his father’s cabin in Northern Michigan (as the two young men in “The Three-Day Blow” do), and had a romantic relationship with a woman named Marjorie (as is true of the character Nick). In fact, scholars have noted that even small details in the story—such as Bill being worried that Nick will “dent in the screen” protecting the fire if he rests his feet on it—emerged from Hemingway’s real-life experience (as he was known for having large feet).
“The Three-Day Blow” is also a classic work of Lost Generation literature. Writers in the Lost Generation were young adults during World War I who, after witnessing the brutality of the world’s first global conflict, felt aimless or “lost.” These young people became disillusioned with American values and norms—such as marriage, the nuclear family, and traditional jobs—leading writers like Hemingway to prioritize art and travel. Like Hemingway, the characters of Nick and Bill struggle with society’s expectations. In the story, Bill bemoans the fact that they are expected to get married, settle down, and support their families with jobs they don’t care about. What these men do care about is reading, going to the woods, and drinking—activities that take them out of the mundanity of their daily lives.
