The Storm Symbol Analysis

The storm, which the characters refer to as the “three-day blow,” represents the feelings that the protagonist, Nick, goes through as he grapples with his recent breakup with a girl named Marjorie: namely, shock, despair, and powerlessness. Bill and Nick first refer to the storm at the start of the story, noting that it marks the change in the seasons from summer to fall. When Nick discusses his breakup, he compares the brutal suddenness of the relationship ending—signaling a new “season” of life for him—to the sudden onset of an early autumn storm. Nick says, “All of a sudden everything was over,” before continuing, “I don’t know why it was. I couldn’t help it. Just like when the three-day blows come now and rip all the leaves off the trees.” Here, the storm represents Nick’s feelings of powerlessness, bewilderment, and shock at this sudden loss in his life. Despite having initiated the breakup, he feels as if his feelings took on a force of their own.

However, near the end of the story, the storm represents Nick’s newfound sense of hope and clarity. When Nick realizes he might be able to get Marjorie back, he suddenly feels a palpable sense of relief. Hemingway captures the shift in Nick’s mood from despair to relief with a new metaphor using the storm. He reflects, “Outside now the Marge business was no longer so tragic. It was not even very important. The wind blew everything like that away.” Here, the storm stands for Nick’s ability to clear his head and gain a little perspective.