Only one person can control their happiness and control their life. In “The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber,” author Ernest Hemingway demonstrates the importance of controlling one's happiness and assuming one's position of power through characterization and symbolism. This story shows the coward that Frances Macomber characterizes herself, overcoming the defeat of his wife Margot. Also the characterization and position of people who influenced his life challenge. Animal symbolisms also play a prominent role in relation to the characters. The way Frances Macomber interacted with other characters gave clues to his personality and who he was. Frances Macomber was a wealthy man but turned out to be a boy. He showed great cowardice in his actions. Macomber says: “I ran away like a rabbit…” (Hemingway). He proved through this quote that he was afraid of lions and wanted to be more like a man; who Mr. Wilson had resembled. François lived most of his adult life under the controlling and dominating power of Margot, whom he did not respect. Margot said softly “If you make a scene, I’ll leave you…” (Hemingway). Although the cowardice suggests that he had the courage to regain self-control. He redeems his sense of manhood and respect for others after charging at a water buffalo and disobeying what his once powerful wife had to say. He had regained his admiration when he had finally overcome the first real challenge of his life; Happiness. Wilson communicates: “It took a strange chance of hunting, a sudden rush into action without the possibility of worrying beforehand, to bring this about” (Hemingway). Victorious over his self-defeat, Macomber dies. Not only is this a normal death, but the “rebirth” of Frances. Margot Macomber was the beautiful wife of Frances to whom he had been married in an unusual marital relationship. He was a very deviant human being who didn't really love Macomber, he only loved his money and he only loved him for his beauty. The narrator states: [S]imply peppered with this American feminine cruelty…” (Hemingway). She took advantage of Macomber because he was a coward and was very embarrassed to claim him as her husband after losing the encounter with a lion. She enjoyed seeing France's weakness in not killing the lion at the beginning of the story and took psychological control of him. Margot explains: “I will not leave you and you will behave as you want” (Hemingway). Wilson had also influenced Margot, proving himself to be the man she wanted and admired..