Manhood is an expectation of mental and physical abilities that all men should possess. For some, the search can be excruciating, and at often times it is never found. Lions often demonstrate this strong ability to take charge in life, and can be recognized as a symbol of manhood. In the story The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber, Earnest Hemingway tells the story of a man in search of his own manhood while living in marriage where he is treated as mere peasant.
             The story begins with a wealthy American Francis Macomber and his dominant wife Margaret eating lunch on a safari with their English guide, Robert Wilson. When they hear a lion roaring majestically miles away, they decide to make sport on it. Finding the lion, Macomber wounds it badly and runs away in fear when realizing it is still alive. The guide is horrified at his bad sportsmanship and finishes off the lion taking many shots, sending the final one to blow its face off. Francis' wife ridicules him for his cowardice and seduces Wilson to make sure Macomber is aware of her infidelity and contempt. The next day, Macomber redeems himself by killing a buffalo cleanly and bravely. He achieves a feeling of happiness he has never known before; standing his ground, unafraid, he faces another buffalo, a charging badly wounded bull. From the car where she has been watching, Margot takes aim and shoots at the charging buffalo, apparently to "save" her husband's life. Her shot strikes her husband, killing him at his moment of triumph.
             Lions are strong creatures both in mind and in strength. They are often referred to as the "king of beasts", due to their size, courage and determination in dangerous situations. Their powerful roar can be heard up to five miles away and warns off intruders that are too come their way. In growth young males work hard to develop the skills necessary for survival. Few young males have the strength and skills necessary to de...