Diction

As I am beginning to read this novel, one thing I consistently come back to is diction. Honestly, I understand very little of it. To say that I am frustrated would be an immense understatement, but that is not for lack of trying.

" 'Letter to-day.' (pg 37)"

Clearly the character, Brett, is saying that she received a letter from the person being mentioned at the time (Mike). I just found this to be a great example of the diction in the book being one that is certainly not alive and well today. Not only are letters almost completely obsolete with the creation of e-mail, texting, and other digital masterpieces, but "to-day" actually threw me off for a few seconds. Looking at it now it is clear that it meant that day, but, when I get in my reading groove, the slightest disturbance throws me off. Suffice it to say that I have not effectively gotten into a groove at all during my reading of this novel. It seems like every word is from a dead language that I am simply not accustomed to seeing. Of course I expected a little difficulty what with the author of the work being Hemingway, but I seriously gave myself too much credit. Still, it is somewhat of a breath of fresh air to actually have to think about something of value. It is summer after all. I suppose to Hemingway, this diction really isn't all that farfetched.