The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber is suddenly invigorated with energy to start afresh. Margot picks up the gun to defend her husband, trying to save him in the face of danger. For once in their lives, husband and wife are both on the same side, shooting at the same bull. It is tragically ironic, of course, as she kills the man she is trying to save, but such is Hemingway’s commentary on life. The good things we gain are the sweetest, and the most short-lived. A third interpretation of Margot’s shot is that she is trying to regain dominance over her husband by killing the
John R. Macomber as chairman of the New England Liberty Loan committee and of Metropotian Boston trade in the United War Work campaign. From 1919 to 1920, Macomber served as President of the Boston Chamber of Commerce. On September 3, 1920, Massachusetts State Treasurer Fred J. Burrell resigned following an investigation by a special legislative committee and Governor Calvin Coolidge appointed Macomber, Albert P. Langtry, and Henry A. Wyman to administer the office until a successor could be confirmed. In 1922, Macomber was elected a life member of the board of trustees at Tufts College. In 1926 he was named chairman of Massachusetts