" Wagner-Martin's quote demonstrates that Harry does not fulfill his mission as a writer by comparing to his decaying leg. It is likely that Ernest Hemingway regretted not carrying out his own mission as a writer. Specifically, Harry ruins his talent by indulging in a dissipated lifestyle, although Harry has a literary gift. When Harry is close to death, he shows his disappointment about not being able to write by stating that he "would never write the things that he had waited to write until he knew enough to write them well" (Hemingway 828). This statement is closely associated with Ernest Hemingway because he regrets that he did not spend more time writing. Secondly, although Harry has not married many times, unlike the author, who often married and divorced many women, his manner of treating women is cynical and shows no consideration. Harry marries Helen, who he does not love, because he relies on Helen's property to sustain his lifestyle. According to "The Snows of Kilimanjaro," Harry refers to Helen as "you b____, you rich b____" and "she shot very well this good, this rich b____, this kindly caretaker and destroyer of his talent" (Hemingway 830-831). In this statement, Harry blames others instead of reflecting on himself. .
As a symbol, snow plays a significant role in Harry's first vision and the novel that he wants to write. In his first vision, he is traveling aboard a train, thinking about the "things he had saved to write, looking out the window and seeing snow on the mountains" (Hemingway 828). Harry also remembers an old man saying, "No, that's not snow. It's too early for snow" (Hemingway 829). However, as the story reveals, "it was snow, all right, and it was snow they tramped along in until they died that winter" (Hemingway 829). Besides, the snows on the peak of Kilimanjaro also symbolizes the novel. Since Harry cannot overcome the failures he has undergone in the past, he is not able to write anything.