Olivia Villain's "The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber" Summary

"The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber" is a short story about a man who overcomes his fears. It begins with Francis Macomber on a safari in Africa with his wife, Margaret. There, their guide is Robert Wilson. One day on the safari, a lion comes very close to the camp, so Wilson decides they will go after it. When they get to it, Macomber shoots it, but is unable to kill it before it runs into the brush to hide. After a little while, Wilson, Macomber, and the two gun bearers go in after it. The lion then charges the men, and Macomber runs away in fear. His wife witnesses this, so then decides it is okay to be with Wilson that night. The next day, they go after buffalo, also with Margaret there. Macomber kills two buffalo, but one he only injures. However, he is elated that he has overcome his fears, and voices that to the others. When the third buffalo comes charging them, Macomber does not move while shooting at it, but consistently misses it. Margaret has his extra gun, and instead of shooting the buffalo that was charging her husband, she shoots and kills Macomber. Wilson knows it was not really an accident, and lets her know that fact as she is hysterical over killing Macomber.