The Three Day Blow

Firstly it is important to address the meaning of the title itself and what it symbolizes. "The three day blow" shows the following aspects of the story:

i) Physical Blow: Rain and storm that lasts for three days.

ii) Mental Blow: The depression/sadness of separation between Nick and Marge in Nick’s mind.

The story sets in the events of a three day storm, the rain has just stopped and the wind blows making the trees bare. There is a cottage at the top of the hill where the writer finds his main characters drinking and conversing.

The “The Three Day Blow” is portrayed as a love story written by Ernest Hemingway but rather indulges in the relationship between friends. The protagonist of this story Nick, has a beloved named Marge both passionately in love until lately, they have quarreled and Nick has sent her away in anger. He feels that it is his mistake and feels depressed and dejected because he has lost hope of seeing her again. Thus, a kind of storm is blowing in the psyche of the Nick and he has no sense of peace, silence, and tranquility. In other words, he has become completely restless. For this reason, he had decided to meet his friend Bill so as to get relief from his restlessness position.

It is autumn season and the weather is wet. A storm is blowing. When Nick reaches the cottage, Bill opens the door and comes out. He warmly welcomes Nick inside and they sit down in front of the fire. Luckily, Bill’s father is not at home. They start talking about games and they also start drinking whisky. After that, they talk about the taste of whiskey and drink again and again. Again, they talk about many different things like books, writers, fishing, baseball, drinking, etc. They even talk about their own fathers each time they fill their glasses with whiskey and drink. Ultimately, the drinks heat them and they get quite drunk. It is better for Nick for he has started to forget his anxiety to some extent conversing with his friend. However, suddenly, Bill speaks about Marge again and praises Nick for breaking the relationship.This stirs up the storm inside Nick’s mind and he becomes completely impatient and intolerant. Bill however does not understand Nick’s inner thoughts and feelings, but does understand the complexity of a failed relationship and how one must move forward from it . He warns Nick not to go near Marge again because the relationship may start again trying to protect his friend from another failed relationship. But contradictory to Bills warning it becomes a hint for Nick and slowly his desperation and hopelessness vanishes and there is again hope for a reunion or reconciliation. So, Bill’s warning makes him happy but he does not say anything to Bill. Rather, Nick himself decides to go just to meet Marge after the end of the three-day autumn blow.