# Author's Final Note to the Reader explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Ernest Hemingway.

## What happens

The author directly addresses the reader, reflecting on the ten-day writing process and offering a secret historical explanation for a story element involving Diana, her mother, a French general, and the bubonic plague during an exposition. The author defends the inclusion of this note as a courtesy to the reader, then bids a simple farewell.

## Themes in this chapter

### Metafiction and the Role of the Reader

The author breaks the fourth wall, directly addressing the reader, explaining narrative choices, and reflecting on the writing process.

### The Absurdity of Authority and Religion

The French authorities' cover-up of a bubonic plague death to protect an exposition's reputation illustrates the absurd and corrupt priorities of institutional power.

## Character check-ins

### Diana Scripps

The elderly waitress whose story about losing her mother in Paris is clarified in this note.

### Unknown

The authorial voice directly addressing the reader and providing the secret history.

## Key lines

> Well, reader, how did you like it? It took me ten days to write it. Has it been worth it?

The author asks the reader for their opinion on the story, noting the brief time it took to write.

_Opening direct address to the reader, establishing a metafictional tone._

> What actually happened was that her mother was taken violently ill with the bubonic plague in the night, and the doctor who was called diagnosed the case and warned the authorities.

The real event was that Diana's mother contracted bubonic plague, and the doctor alerted officials.

_Reveals the hidden truth behind the earlier story about Diana and her mother._

> It was the day the great exposition was to be opened, and think what a case of bubonic plague would have done for the exposition as publicity.

The exposition's opening day made a plague case a public relations disaster.

_Explains the motive for the cover-up by French authorities._

> I do not believe in these protracted goodbyes any more than I do in long engagements, so I will just say a simple farewell and Godspeed, reader, and leave you now to your own devices.

The author prefers brief farewells and ends the note with a simple goodbye.

_Concluding the note with a direct farewell to the reader._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_15_se/chapters/author-s-final-note-to-the-reader
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_15_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_15_se/chapters