The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber by Ernest Hemingway – Summary

Francis is grateful to Wilson the hunter, Wilson acts jolly, and Margaret is upset because of the way Francis handled an incident with a lion. After a brief conversation, Margaret leaves, upset. In fact, Wilson thinks he is a coward. Wilson tries to insult Francis so that the couple won't want to spend time with him but Francis admits to his cowardice and regains some of Wilson's sympathy. Margaret comes back composed and says she wants to join the men buffalo hunting the following day. Margaret and Francis are fighting, and having marital troubles and Wilson is well aware and annoyed. Wilson thinks Margaret is cruel and terrible.

In the afternoon Wilson and Francis go off alone. Francis shoots an old impala and Wilson assures him it's a worthwhile shot.

Lying in bed, Francis feels ashamed. He recalls what happened. The previous night he had heard the lion roaring from afar and was afraid. Francis suggested shooting it at breakfast. He feels miserably challenged by the lion. They go hunt it and Francis shoots it. The lion briefly becomes the focalizer. He may not be dead so Wilson and Macomber go look for him. Francis asks about options other than going themselves but there are none. He acts like a very big coward and Wilson is ashamed of him. They find the lion who turns focalizer again. Macomber runs away in panic. Wilson kills the lion and they return to the car. Margaret saw everything and kisses Wilson on the mouth.

Macomber falls asleep and wakes up to find his wife has gone. She has had sex with Wilson. Wilson ridicules Macomber for failing to control his wife who insists on coming buffalo hunting. Macomber shoots the first one down and Eilson helps with the second and third. They have to track the first bull because just like the lion he crawled into some bushed. Macomber feels altered. Wilson recognizes that Macomber has "come of age" and suddenly likes him. His wife senses the change and is insecure suddenly.