The Murder of Francis Macomber In the story "The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber" by Ernest Hemingway, one of the most shocking moments occurs when Mrs. Macomber shoots her husband, Francis. Hemingway leaves the reader to answer the crucial question of whether or not it was intentional. Throughout the story the Macombers have a turbulent relationship. Their relationship seems to be a power struggle, each one has a hold on the other that they …showed first 75 words of 531 total…

…showed last 75 words of 531 total…thought he might leave her after her indiscretion with Mr. Wilson. She acted out of fear and not in cold blood. However, it was most certainly not an accident. By shooting him, she ensured that she was the one with the upper hand. Their relationship was a game of sorts and the winner was Margot, she had control and she decided the outcome. It was not premeditated murder, but it was murder all the same.