To have and have not

To Have and Have Not is a dark, Depression-era tale of a smuggler caught between survival and morality in a world divided by class.

Ernest Hemingway’s To Have and Have Not (1937) is a tense, politically charged novel set in Key West and Cuba during the Great Depression. The story centers on Harry Morgan, a rugged fishing boat captain who turns to smuggling after economic hardship leaves him with no other options. As he slips deeper into moral ambiguity and criminality, Hemingway exposes the sharp divide between the rich and the poor, the desperate and the privileged. The novel portrays a gritty, sun-scorched world where choices are limited and survival demands sacrifice.

Unlike some of Hemingway’s more minimalist works, To Have and Have Not is more experimental in structure and tone, blending hard-boiled action with social commentary. It captures the despair of the era while giving voice to those crushed by systemic inequality. Morgan is both a flawed hero and a symbol of endurance, shaped by forces beyond his control. Though reviews were mixed at the time, it remains a vivid exploration of class conflict and human resilience.