# Today Is Friday explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Ernest Hemingway.

## What happens

Three Roman soldiers drink wine in a bar and discuss the crucifixion they witnessed earlier that day. They debate the condemned man's conduct, with one soldier repeatedly insisting 'he looked pretty good in there today,' while another questions why he didn't come down off the cross. The Hebrew wine-seller avoids the topic, and the soldiers eventually leave, one feeling unwell.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Absurdity of Authority and Religion

The soldiers' mundane, cynical conversation about the crucifixion reduces a profound religious event to a routine execution, highlighting the absurdity of authority and faith.

### Masculinity and Sexual Anxiety

The soldiers' discussion of the crucified man's female companion and their own bravado reveals underlying anxieties about masculinity and loyalty.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown

The first Roman soldier who defends the crucified man's dignity.

### Unknown

The second Roman soldier who cynically questions the crucifixion.

### Unknown

The third Roman soldier who feels ill and is troubled by the event.

### The girl

Mentioned as the crucified man's female companion who stayed by him.

## Key lines

> I thought he was pretty good in there today.

The first soldier repeatedly praises the condemned man's composure during the crucifixion.

_This refrain underscores the soldier's respect for the victim's dignity._

> Why didn't he come down off the cross?

The second soldier questions why the man didn't save himself, reflecting a pragmatic view of suffering.

_This question highlights the tension between faith and skepticism._

> The part I don't like is the nailing them on. You know, that must get to you pretty bad.

The third soldier expresses discomfort with the physical brutality of crucifixion.

_This reveals the soldier's visceral reaction to violence._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_15_se/chapters/today-is-friday
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_15_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_15_se/chapters