Hemingway set many of his stories in post-World War I Europe, and they are often preoccupied with the fate of expatriate Americans living and traveling throughout the continent. Hemingway himself was involved in World War I as an ambulance driver in Italy, although he was injured and sent home to the United States in 1919. He returned to Europe soon thereafter, settling in Paris, which was home to a large number of expatriate artists and writers, such as Gertrude Stein and Ezra Pound. This group—the Lost Generation writers—would inspire much of Hemingway’s work.

The name “Lost Generation” refers to the generation that came of age during and directly after World War I, but it often refers more specifically to the expatriates living in Europe during that time, many of whom were living aimlessly or superficially. World War I was the first event of its kind, a cataclysmic war that engaged many countries and resulted in the loss of millions of lives. It devastated the physical landscape of Europe and destroyed cities, towns, and historical monuments. As a result, many people questioned the most fundamental aspect of human life—whether their lives had meaning and purpose. For many, dealing with the shock and trauma of the war, the answer seemed to be no.