Mix War, Art, and Dancing" by Ernest Hemingway — Review

Hemingway’s short sketch *"Mix War, Art, and Dancing"* contrasts the vibrancy of youth and art with the somber backdrop of war. The lively dance at the Fine Arts Institute, filled with soldiers on leave and spirited students, creates a fleeting sense of normalcy and joy amid the uncertainty of wartime. 

Hemingway’s sharp, economical prose captures the energy of the scene—jazz music, eager dancers, and animated conversations about art—while the recurring image of the lone woman outside, walking through the sleet, serves as a haunting counterpoint. This juxtaposition subtly underscores the transience of happiness in a world overshadowed by conflict.

The ending, where the woman gazes up at the darkened windows after the revelry has ended, leaves a lingering melancholy, suggesting the inevitable return to reality.

Here is the link to the text of the story:
https://americanliterature.com/author/ernest-hemingway/essay/mix-war-art-and-dancing