What Is Hemingway's Iceberg Theory?
Last Updated Apr 9, 2020 5:27:04 AM ET
Ernest Hemingway's "iceberg" theory is his strategy of fiction writing in which most of the story is hidden, much like an iceberg underneath the ocean. The 7/8ths of an iceberg that are underwater are the strongest part of the iceberg. In the same way, the strongest part of a story is what is hidden from the reader and revealed later.
For this technique to work, the author must know the entire story but only write an eighth of it, as an iceberg only shows an eighth of itself above the water. The iceberg theory works well in mystery stories, as levels of the plot are omitted, and only the essentials are revealed. Most of the "icebergs" in Hemingway's stories concern the awareness of death.
More From Reference

Why “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” Matters in a Post-Pandemic World

Are Purple Sea Urchins Viruses in the Ocean? Why You Should Be Eating More Uni

Greek Mythology Stories: Persephone and the Origin of the Seasons

All About Bunnies: 10+ Facts About Rabbits

What Is the Market Volatility Index, and How Does It Impact Your Investments?

8-Bit Oinkers: These Tech-Savvy Pigs Are Mastering Video Games