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TL;DR: During the Great Depression, Harry Morgan, a tough fishing-boat captain in Key West, Florida, is cheated out of his money and turns to smuggling to support his family. He carries illegal Chinese immigrants, liquor and finally Cuban revolutionaries. Each job is more dangerous, and his final run ends in violence, showing how poverty pushes men toward desperate choices.
Table of Contents
To Have and Have Not at a Glance
| Author | Ernest Hemingway |
| First published | 1937 |
| Type | Novel |
| Best for | readers who want a tough, tense Hemingway story |
To Have and Have Not is a novel by Ernest Hemingway, published in 1937. It is set in Key West and Cuba and contrasts the poor and the rich during the Depression. Below you will find a part-by-part summary, five key takeaways, ideas worth remembering and a note on who will enjoy it.
Content note: Includes violence, murder, racist language and sexual content.
Main Characters
- Harry Morgan: A rugged boat captain.
- Marie Morgan: Harry's devoted wife.
- Eddy: Harry's alcoholic helper.
- Mr. Sing: A smuggler who pays Harry to transport people.
- Richard Gordon: A wealthy writer in Key West.
What Happens, Part by Part (Contains Spoilers)
Cheated
Harry runs a fishing boat for tourists. A rich client, Mr. Johnson, loses expensive gear and leaves without paying. Broke, Harry agrees to smuggle twelve Chinese men for Mr. Sing. He takes the money, kills Sing and leaves the men on the shore near Cuba.
Liquor
Harry starts smuggling liquor from Cuba. He is shot in the arm by authorities and later loses the arm. He also loses his boat to the government, which makes his situation even more desperate.
The revolutionaries
Harry agrees to carry four Cuban revolutionaries who have robbed a bank. On the boat they kill his partner, and Harry fights them. He kills all four, but is badly wounded.
The haves
Meanwhile, the novel shows wealthy people in Key West, including a writer, Richard Gordon, whose marriage is falling apart, and rich yacht owners whose lives are empty. Their comfort contrasts with Harry's struggle.
The end
Harry is found dying on his drifting boat. Before he dies, he says that a man alone has no chance. His wife, Marie, mourns him deeply, remembering their love, and faces life alone.
5 Key Takeaways
- Poverty can push people toward crime.
- The rich and the poor live in different worlds.
- Individual toughness is not enough against society.
- Love can survive in harsh lives.
- Violence breeds more violence.
Ideas Worth Remembering
These are paraphrased, not direct quotes:
- A man alone has no chance.
- Desperation changes a person's choices.
- Comfort can hide emptiness.
Who Should Read To Have and Have Not?
Read To Have and Have Not if you enjoy Hemingway's tough style and crime stories. It suits adults.
Questions to Think About After Reading
These prompts work for solo reading, a book club or a classroom discussion of To Have and Have Not:
- Is Harry a hero or a criminal?
- What does the title mean?
- How does the novel show the gap between rich and poor?
How to Use This Summary
Use this page as a quick reference before a book club meeting, an exam, or a decision about whether To Have and Have Not is worth your time. The takeaways are written to stand on their own. If a point interests you, go back to the book for the author's full story, characters and style, which no short summary can replace.
A Note on Accuracy and Spoilers
This summary is based on the published text of To Have and Have Not, not on any film, series or stage adaptation, which often change the story. Details are kept at the level of the main events so that nothing is invented. Editions differ slightly in length and wording, so page numbers and small details may vary between copies.
Should You Read the Book?
Yes, for Hemingway fans. It is uneven and violent, and some attitudes are dated, but Harry Morgan is a memorable figure.
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What to Read Next
- The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway: a fisherman's struggle
- The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway: the lost generation
- The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck: poverty during the Depression
Related: Hills Like White Elephants by Ernest Hemingway: Summary and Key Takeaways · For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway: Summary and Key Takeaways
Frequently Asked Questions
What is To Have and Have Not about?
A boat captain in Key West turns to smuggling to survive the Depression.
Who wrote it?
Ernest Hemingway, in 1937.
Who is Harry Morgan?
A tough fishing-boat captain.
What does the title mean?
It contrasts those who have money with those who do not.
How does Harry die?
From wounds after a fight with revolutionaries.
Is there a film?
Yes, the 1944 film with Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall.
What age is it for?
Adults.
How long is it?
About 260 pages.
Where is it set?
In Key West, Florida, and Cuba.
What are Harry's last words?
That a man alone has no chance.
Who is Marie Morgan?
Harry's loyal wife, whose grief closes the novel.
Who is Eddy?
Harry's alcoholic helper on the boat.
Why does Harry turn to crime?
He is cheated, broke and desperate to feed his family.
Who are the main characters in To Have and Have Not?
The main characters are Harry Morgan, Marie Morgan, Eddy, Mr. Sing and Richard Gordon. Harry Morgan: A rugged boat captain. Marie Morgan: Harry's devoted wife. Eddy: Harry's alcoholic helper.
Is To Have and Have Not worth reading?
It depends on what you want. The book is best for readers who want a tough, tense Hemingway story. If that describes you, it is likely a good fit. If not, the titles under What to Read Next may suit you better.