# XIII explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Ernest Hemingway.

## What happens

Yogi Johnson walks through the cold night with two Indian veterans, one missing an arm. They stop under a streetlight, questioning where to go. The big Indian suggests Brown's Beanery, and Yogi agrees, paying for their meal. The chapter shifts to a metafictional author's note addressing the reader, discussing F. Scott Fitzgerald's visit, the writing process, and appealing for book sales.

## Themes in this chapter

### Post-War Trauma and Alienation

Yogi and the Indian veterans wander aimlessly, questioning the purpose of their war service and their place in society.

### Metafiction and the Role of the Reader

The author directly addresses the reader, discusses Fitzgerald's visit, and appeals for book sales, breaking the fourth wall.

### American Identity and Disillusionment

Yogi reflects on racial and national unrest, questioning the supremacy of the white race and the American dream.

## Character check-ins

### Yogi Johnson

Walks with two Indian veterans, reflects on the war and his aimlessness, leads them to a beanery.

### The Indian

The little Indian with a missing artificial arm, a war veteran, accompanies Yogi.

### Indians

The big Indian, also a war veteran, questions Yogi and suggests the beanery.

### F. Scott Fitzgerald

Mentioned in the author's note as visiting and sitting in the fireplace.

## Key lines

> Walking no get us nowhere,” he grunted. “Walking no good. Let white chief speak. Where we go, white chief?

The big Indian says walking is pointless and asks Yogi for direction.

_Highlights the futility felt by the veterans._

> Was this what they had fought the war for? Was this what it was all about? It looked like it.

Yogi questions whether the war's outcome justifies the sacrifices.

_Reflects post-war disillusionment._

> It was at this point in the story, reader, that Mr. F. Scott Fitzgerald came to our home one afternoon, and after remaining for quite a while suddenly sat down in the fireplace and would not (or was it could not, reader?) get up and let the fire burn something else so as to keep the room warm.

The author interrupts the narrative to describe Fitzgerald's odd behavior during a visit.

_Metafictional break that comments on the writing process._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_15_se/chapters/xiii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_15_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_15_se/chapters