* The Man: He is the dominant figure in the relationship, controlling the conversation and pushing his agenda. He is impatient and dismissive of the woman's feelings.
* The Woman: She is portrayed as more passive and hesitant. She is visibly struggling with an internal conflict, which is made clear by her repeated attempts to change the subject and her ambiguous responses to the man's suggestions.
Hemingway's writing style is known for its restraint and objectivity. He avoids explicitly stating his own opinions, preferring to let the reader draw their own conclusions from the characters' actions and dialogue. This makes it difficult to definitively say which character he sympathizes with.
However, some factors suggest that Hemingway may be more sympathetic to the woman.
* Her internal conflict: The story focuses on the woman's emotional struggle, her fear, and her longing for an alternative to the man's solution. Hemingway explores this conflict with sensitivity and detail.
* The Man's domineering behavior: The man's insistent demands and his dismissiveness of the woman's concerns paint him as a less sympathetic character.
* The ending: The story ends with a sense of ambiguity, leaving the reader to wonder if the woman will ultimately succumb to the man's pressure. This ambiguous ending can be interpreted as a sign of the woman's vulnerability and the potential consequences of her partner's controlling behavior.
Ultimately, Hemingway's intention is not to explicitly sympathize with either character but to present a nuanced and realistic portrait of a difficult relationship, leaving the reader to form their own opinion.