"Soldier's Home," by Ernest Hemingway, opens up with a description of the two "sides" of Harold Krebs. Hemingway uses this to show how Krebs was before he enlisted in the Marines and during combat. The image of him before war shows the reader that he followed social norms and is now expected to follow them after war. Krebs's mother tries to reach out to him and tries to direct him in the proper direction. His mother asks Krebs, "[h]ave you decided what you are going to do yet, Harold?" (58). He replies with a simple no, which makes his mother continue on. She states that Charley Simmons "has a good job and is going to be married. The boys are all settling down; they're all determined to get somewhere" (68). This is showing that the mother wants Krebs to make something of his life now that the war is over. Eventually, Krebs has decided to "go to Kansas City and get a job" (95). He realizes that he needs to settle down and move on with life, even if that involves leaving home.
Though Krebs came back from the war later than other soldiers, he has a need to talk about the war (4). He tries to talk to his mother about the war but he never can get her full attention (8). This feeling of not being able to talk to anyone may lead to a feeling of detachment. Krebs may feel as if his family just wants him to move on and don't realize his need to talk to them about things on his mind. When his sister is talking to him about pitching he is extremely short with her. He responds but isn't actually trying to communicate. Later his mother asks, "Don't you love your mother, dear boy?" (72). He says that, "I don't love anybody" (75). Him saying this hurt his mother and he realizes that. But he really has a feeling that he cares for nobody.
After war, Krebs has become accustomed to having a simple, routine day. He wants to try to keep his life as simple as possible. His day consists of sleeping in, going to the library, eating, reading, playi...