Ernest Miller Hemingway was born on July 21, 1899, in Oak Park, Illinois. His father was the owner of a prosperous real estate business. His father, Dr. Hemingway, taught Ernest the importance of appearances, especially in public. Dr. Hemingway invented surgical forceps for which didn't want any money for his invention.. He believed that one should not profit from something important for the good of mankind. Ernest's father, a man of high ideals, was very strict and censored the books he allowed his children to read. He forbad Ernest's sister from studying ballet (www.ernest.hemingway.com.). Grace Hall Hemingway, Ernest's mother, was a dreamer who was upset at anything which disturbed her perception of the world as beautiful. She hated dirty diapers, upset stomachs, and cleaning house; they were not fit for a lady. She taught her children to always act mature. She adored the singing of the birds and the smell of flowers. Her children were expected to behave properly and to please her always (Microsoft Bookshelf, 1995 CD ROM). Mrs. Hemingway treated Ernest, when he was a small boy, as if he were a girl and she dressed him accordingly. This arrangement was alright until Ernest got to the age when he wanted to be a big bad dude. He began at that time to pull away from his mother, and never forgave her for his humiliation (www.ernest.com). Ernest loved to fish, canoe and explore the woods. When he couldn't get outside, he escaped to his room and read books. He loved to tell stories to his classmates, often telling a friend listen to one of his stories. In spite of his mother's desire, he played on the football team at Oak Park High School (Microsoft Bookshelf 1995, CD ROM). As a student, Ernest was a perfectionist about his grammar and studied English like a madman. He contributed articles to the weekly school newspaper. It seems that the principal did not approve of Ernest's writings and...
