On the surface level “Big Two-Hearted River,” simply recounts the story of Nick Adams’s fishing trip after he arrives in the town of Seley. However, the free indirect discourse that characterizes Nick shows that he is constantly making an effort to control his thoughts and feelings. Hemingway’s “iceberg” technique excludes more than he reveals about Nick’s inner state, but the language provides strong clues.

Nick defines himself by his ability to survive privation. This highlights the theme of Post-Traumatic Stress and Resilience. He is young and physically strong: He hikes for miles while carrying a heavy pack of canned goods on his back. He mentions that he has been hungry in the past and is able to go long stretches without eating. Nick is depicted as emotionally “muted,” frequently triggered, and desperately controlling. He repeats that he is happy but also notes that he is “not unhappy,” suggesting that he is not entirely sure how happiness feels. He states that his campsite is “good,” the grasshoppers are “good,” and the story of Hopkins is “good.” The repeated descriptor suggests that Nick does not want to explore his emotions too deeply and that simple pleasures satisfy him.