“I never had to choose a subject – my subject rather chose me.”
- July 21, 1899 – July 2, 1961
- American
- Novelist, poet, journalist
- Wrote masterpieces such as “The Old Man and the Sea,” “A Farewell to Arms,” and “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” and won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1954
Quote
“I never had to choose a subject – my subject rather chose me.”
Explanation
In this quote, Hemingway reflects on the idea that the themes and stories he wrote about were not consciously selected by him, but rather emerged naturally through his life experiences and the world around him. His subject—the topics he explored, such as war, love, suffering, and human resilience—was determined by the events he lived through and the emotional truths he encountered. The phrase “my subject rather chose me” suggests that Hemingway didn’t force a theme upon his work, but instead, his writing was shaped by the influences and circumstances of his life. This aligns with his often organic approach to storytelling, where the narrative flows from the authentic experiences of the writer rather than a preconceived plan.
Hemingway’s life was marked by adventure and trauma, including his experiences in World War I, his time as a war correspondent, and his personal struggles with mental health. These elements strongly influenced his writing, with many of his works—like A Farewell to Arms or For Whom the Bell Tolls—reflecting the impact of war and loss on the human condition. Hemingway’s characters often face grief, courage, and endurance, themes he was intimately familiar with. The subject, for Hemingway, wasn’t something he consciously decided to write about; rather, it was the product of his engagement with the world and the depth of his experiences. His subject was almost a natural extension of his own life, one he couldn’t escape from, but could only reflect upon in his art.
In today’s world, this quote can resonate with creative professionals—writers, artists, musicians, and others—who often find that their true subject is not something they choose but something that emerges from within them, shaped by their surroundings, emotions, and experiences. In a similar way, many non-fiction writers or documentarians often discover their focus by following the issues or stories that they are most deeply affected by. The quote serves as a reminder that sometimes the best work is not about consciously selecting a subject, but about listening to the forces in our lives and responding authentically to what calls us.
