The final stories of the collection utilize unconventional narrative formats to further develop the theme of Confronting Defeat with Grace Under Pressure. In “Today Is Friday,” Hemingway adopts the structure of a one-act play to present the crucifixion of Jesus Christ through the perspective of the Roman soldiers who witnessed it. The story keeps theological discussion largely in the background, directing attention instead to the soldiers’ observations of conduct under extreme physical suffering. The first soldier repeatedly expresses his admiration for Jesus’s composure during the execution, insisting that he “was pretty good in there today” (138). By assessing Jesus through his ability to endure pain and maintain composure during the crucifixion, the soldiers interpret the event through their own practical understanding of courage and endurance. Meanwhile, the third soldier’s persistent physical illness throughout the scene echoes the bodily suffering associated with the day’s events, grounding the soldiers’ discussion in physical experience rather than abstract reflection. The soldiers repeatedly evaluate Jesus according to how he endured the crucifixion, praising his ability to withstand suffering without abandoning his composure. 

Structural juxtaposition plays a central role in “Banal Story,” where Hemingway places two sharply contrasting forms of representation alongside one another. The narrative abruptly shifts from an unnamed man reading a promotional literary magazine to the account of the Spanish bullfighter Manuel Garcia Maera dying of pneumonia. The magazine presents a series of broad cultural references and abstract questions, while the later section focuses on the physical details of Maera’s illness, death, and burial. This contrast draws attention to the distance between public discourse and individual experience. Admirers purchase colored lithographs of the matador, gradually replacing their memories of the man with idealized images of him. As a result, the story explores how public representations can shape the way individuals are remembered after death. By moving abruptly between these two sections without explicit commentary, Hemingway encourages readers to consider the relationship between cultural narratives and the realities they attempt to represent.

In “Now I Lay Me,” the motif of Wounds and Injuries extends beyond the immediate physical effects of wartime violence to include its lingering consequences. The narrator, Nick, struggles to sleep after being blown up on the Italian front and fears that if he falls asleep in the dark, his soul will leave his body. He reflects, “[I]f I ever shut my eyes in the dark and let myself go, my soul would go out of my body” (145). To occupy his mind during the night, Nick develops detailed mental routines, including reconstructing his boyhood trout streams with remarkable precision. He traces the streams’ banks, pools, and fishing spots, sometimes working through them in reverse when he reaches the end too quickly. These carefully structured routines help him manage the fear associated with sleep and darkness. Nick’s nightly rituals demonstrate that the effects of wartime injury continue to shape his thoughts and behavior long after the original event. By focusing on Nick’s persistent wakefulness and mental routines, the story develops the motif of Wounds and Injuries beyond visible bodily harm, showing how the consequences of physical violence may continue in everyday life.

Furthermore, Nick’s interactions with his orderly, John, underscore the theme of The Failure of Communication and Resultant Isolation. Although the two men share the same physical space and converse in the dark, their dialogue differences in how they understand Nick’s difficulties. The persistent sound of silkworms feeding on mulberry leaves contributes to the quiet atmosphere of the scene, accompanying their restrained conversation. John, an Italian American drafted while visiting family, views the world through a practical lens, insisting that marriage will resolve Nick’s problems. Nick politely agrees to consider the advice, yet his later reflections suggest that John’s explanation does not fully address the concerns that keep him awake at night. While John approaches the issue through familiar social expectations, Nick remains occupied by fears and habits that he does not fully explain. The women from Nick’s past gradually blur together in his thoughts, whereas his memories of the trout streams remain detailed and distinct. This gap in understanding leaves important concerns unresolved, contributing to Nick’s sense of isolation. Nick’s realization that John would be disappointed to learn that he never married further emphasizes the distance between their perspectives, illustrating how individuals may remain emotionally disconnected even during seemingly intimate conversations.