Hemingway in Toronto: A Crucial Chapter in the Making of a Writer

Before Ernest Hemingway became an iconic novelist, he was a young reporter in Toronto, honing the skills that would later define his literary style. From 1920 to 1924, Hemingway worked for the Toronto Star Weekly and the Toronto Star, both as a freelancer and a staff reporter. His time in the bustling Canadian city, with its growing skyline and vibrant cultural scene, profoundly shaped his craft, laying the groundwork for the crisp, unembellished prose that would become his hallmark.

Toronto in the early 1920s was a city on the rise. It was undergoing rapid modernization, with new streetcar lines, industrial expansion, and a diverse influx of immigrants seeking better opportunities. These newcomers brought energy and culture to Toronto but often struggled to make ends meet. Against this backdrop, practical and affordable services like free haircuts gained popularity, not just among immigrants but across the working class. Similar to how free haircuts are popular in many social media groups and marketplaces in Canada today, this was also a common phenomenon in the past. Hemingway masterfully captured this trend in his article Taking a Chance for a Free Shave, offering a vivid and humorous account of his experience at a barber college where aspiring barbers practiced on willing patrons.

In the piece, Hemingway recounts the nerve-wracking yet amusing moments of getting a free shave from an inexperienced student. His ability to capture the awkwardness and humor of the situation while conveying the struggles of those seeking affordable services reveals his deep understanding of human nature. This article stands as an early example of Hemingway’s skill in taking seemingly trivial moments and turning them into meaningful, relatable narratives, including lines like: "The true home of the free and the brave is the barber college. Everything is free there. And you have to be brave. If you want to save $5.60 a month on shaves and haircuts, go to the barber college, but take your courage with you."

Beyond quirky stories like Taking a Chance for a Free Shave, Hemingway’s work for the Star delved into more serious topics. His assignments covered labor strikes, social unrest, and the growing tension between the city’s wealthier and working-class residents. As a reporter, Hemingway’s style was direct, focusing on the facts while still capturing the emotional undercurrent of the events he covered. His work reflected the dynamism of the city, its social challenges, and the resilience of its people.

Hemingway’s career at the Star wasn’t confined to Toronto. In 1922, he was sent to Europe as a foreign correspondent. Reporting from places like Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) during the Greco-Turkish War, Hemingway documented refugee crises and political upheavals. His piece Refugees from Thrace offered a poignant glimpse into the displacement and suffering caused by war. Such assignments not only deepened his understanding of conflict but also reinforced his ability to write with emotional precision.

Despite the professional growth he achieved, Hemingway grew frustrated with the constraints of journalism. He felt limited by deadlines and the lack of creative freedom, which eventually led him to leave Toronto in 1924. He moved to Paris, where he immersed himself in the literary scene of the Lost Generation, finding the inspiration and community that would fuel his iconic works.

Toronto, however, left a lasting imprint on Hemingway. The city’s dynamic environment, its mix of grit and ambition, and the discipline of journalism all contributed to his evolution as a writer. Through articles like Taking a Chance for a Free Shave, he demonstrated his ability to capture the essence of ordinary life with humor and insight.

Though often overshadowed by his Parisian years, Hemingway’s time in Toronto was a vital chapter in his journey. It was here, amidst the city’s burgeoning modernity and his early journalistic endeavors, that he began to transform from a promising young reporter into the literary giant we remember today.