The Old Man and the Parks
Interviewed & Written by Dylan Emerick-Brown
Published 2/25/14
What makes a literary icon? Is it the words he chooses or the flow of her sentences? Is it the issues taken on or the unique perspectives never seen before? Or when all of the awards and accolades, shelves of books and quotes preserved for future generations are all stripped to the marrow, is it us - our collective connection to the message - that resonates through the ages?
Few names are as synonymous with literary greatness like that of Hemingway. He was known the world over as a 20th century paragon of masculinity. Whether fighting fascism and fishing the seas or running with bulls and hunting big game, Hemingway set a standard in literature that made men want to live. But in order to appreciate his lessons laced with salty diction and punched out on his typewriter with calloused fingers, one had to read his stories. Today, younger generations find themselves born into a digital world of instant gratification, pixelated entertainment, and fewer paper cuts from swiping a screen as opposed to flipping a page. So it stands to reason that if we were to look for a 21st century Hemingway, we wouldn’t be looking for him on the book shelves, but rather our TV screens.
“I feel like we as a society continue to grow ‘softer’ thanks to all of the wonderful luxuries provided us by technological advances. We are no longer required, by and large, to spend time out in the elements, tending livestock, or gathering fuel for fires for our homes, for example. This allows our younger generations to enjoy a greater deal of leisure than previous generations, and so I see many youngsters spending their time indoors, playing on the computer or video games, or watching TV and movies. I would strongly advise that they spend a lot more time out in nature, wherever they can find it, even if that means a rooftop where a person might grow flowers or vegetables or investigate birds and insects. Walking in the woods or paddling down a stream will always be more deeply satisfying than any video game, but the nice thing is, you can do both! I also recommend working on projects outside if possible, like building fences or birdhouses, or digging holes and planting trees. There are very satisfying activities that continue to pay dividends for many, many years to come.”
No, this isn’t Ernest Hemingway speaking from the great beyond. This is Nick Offerman, or you may know him as Ron Swanson - the character he plays on the acclaimed television show Parks and Recreation. Swanson and Offerman have a great deal in common with each other, which makes for entertaining conversation and a sense of authenticity he brings to his character that reveals a lot about his views on life.
“We are both blessed with a healthy head of hair, not to mention very expressive eyebrows,” Offerman declared. “We are both besotted with woodworking, steak, scotch, the woods, canoeing, a woman who resembles Tammy 2 [a character from Parks & Rec played by his real wife Megan Mullally], and silence.”
But how does Offerman hold up to Hemingway? Let’s start with the obvious portrayal of both as “a man’s man.”
“Since I work primarily as an artist,” said Offerman, “whether it’s performing, writing, playing music, or woodworking, it seems rather silly to be so accused. I feel fortunate that my genes have blessed me with strength and constitution and healthy whiskers, but those qualities do not make a ‘man,’ in my opinion. From my perspective, a person could be weak of arm, tiring easily, or scared of his own shadow, or be bald as a baby’s sitting parts, and still be considered manly, if only he sticks to his principles and stands up for what he believes in. I think the notion of a ‘man’s man’ is a bit archaic, hearkening to a time when we depended much more heavily upon our abilities to hunt game and chop down trees and so forth to survive as a community. I would also point out,” Offerman adds, “that this thinking can be a little bit sexist, since I know many ladies who are better than I am when it comes to ‘manly’ activities.”
Beyond breaking down the gender barrier and clarifying the deeper sense of manhood, Offerman is also an author. While Hemingway certainly had a lengthy career filled with literary cornerstones that defined a new style of writing, Offerman is no slouch at the keyboard. His book, Paddle Your Own Canoe, gained much notoriety and acclaim for the heartfelt lessons and gritty advice we’ve come to expect from Parks Director Ron Swanson. Even in an age when television is the preferred medium of expression for many artists, writing is still a valued and more personal method of conveying one’s message.
“I’m glad to be contributing in my small way to the collection of the written word, as I firmly believe that nothing can recreate the alchemy produced by a printed book and the human imagination,” revealed Offerman. Even when challenged with writing a six-word story as Hemingway had been by one of his editors, Offerman delivers with a quintessentially stubborn yet humorous reply, “I don’t write stories, you nincompoop.”
And this brings up a unique contrast between Offerman and Hemingway: use of humor. Hemingway certainly had a firm command of the tool when he wanted a momentary reprieve of realism and a little levity added to a scene, but Offerman uses this particular tool less sparingly. As realism is subjective to the life being lived, it makes sense that Offerman chooses instead to wield humor as an integral part of what makes life worth living.
“Humor is incredibly important to my life and my health,” he says. “Life is full of things like hardship, sickness, poverty, stubbed toes, and bee stings. If one focuses only on those aspects, life can look very bleak. I prefer instead to focus on the bright spots, like the love of my wife and family and friends and dogs, and the flowers that grow along the fencerow, and most any leaf that I see. I really love leaves. Added to that outlook, I try to see humor wherever and whenever I can. If one is laughing, then the bad times don’t seem so bad after all. My favorite writer, Wendell Berry, has a quote: ‘Laughter is immeasurable. Be joyful though you have considered all the facts.’ I agree wholeheartedly.”
Beyond the obvious comparisons of the gruff and notorious icons, the question looms as to whether or not Offerman is even a fan of Hemingway’s. Perhaps such comparisons are too presumptuous. But more likely, giants only see far because they too stand on the shoulders of other giants.
“I have always greatly enjoyed the writing of Hemingway,” Offerman admits, “most of which I consumed in college. Of all his works, The Old Man and The Sea played the greatest part in my life, as I helped to stage a production of it at The Next Theater in Chicago in about 1994. I built large articulated puppets for the man-of-war bird and the marlin, and then I choreographed harpoon fights between the old man and the sharks, all represented by very talented dancers in masks. Adapting such a rich work of fiction to the stage was very rewarding, and the audiences agreed that it was a mighty worthwhile undertaking.”
A luxury, to some degree, of a writer is that they never have to embody a single character quite like an actor does. Though a writer breathes life into his or her characters on the page, an actor literally becomes the avatar of someone else’s creation and in this process, commonly ingrains a bit of themselves in the character. Hemingway never had to be confused on the street with Santiago. Yet how does Offerman, a thoughtful and talented actor, feel about being perceived in public as Ron Swanson, TV’s macho cabin-dwelling anti-government bureaucrat?
“I have absolutely no such complaints,” he says. “That is how the character is written, and so the only disappointment would be if he were NOT perceived that way. I find it extremely satisfying that my collaboration with the writers of Parks and Recreation has resulted in a character that is very effectively entertaining to the audience. While I also love a nice campfire in the woods and a cut of steak, I don’t feel any need to identify with Ron, or any of the many characters I play when working at my job of “actor,” so any perceptions of Ron, either positive or negative, don’t affect me personally.”
As an artist whose expressive medium of choice was the written word, Hemingway worked his musings about manhood, relationships, and life and death into his many novels. As an artist whose expressive medium of choice is acting, Offerman has less control over his message, written by others, and expresses himself more or less in the characters he chooses to portray and the manner in which he decides to live through them. Either way, when speaking of both Hemingway and Offerman, one is speaking of a man who stands by his convictions, shares his unique perspectives on life with the world, and is seen through homemade glasses that oftentimes hides the true artist himself behind the personas he creates.
I couldn’t help but ask Offerman if he had any questions he would have liked to have asked Papa Hemingway and likewise, if in hindsight he might have had any advice for him. In total Swanson/Offerman humorously existential fashion, he asked:
“What is it like after death? Can you still taste beer? Can you sensate physical sensations, or are you like a spirit? Have you been reincarnated as another person? Are you me? AM I HEMINGWAY?!
“Ernest, some advice: Be joyful though you have considered all the facts. Also, maybe lay off the gin.”
Few names are as synonymous with literary greatness like that of Hemingway. He was known the world over as a 20th century paragon of masculinity. Whether fighting fascism and fishing the seas or running with bulls and hunting big game, Hemingway set a standard in literature that made men want to live. But in order to appreciate his lessons laced with salty diction and punched out on his typewriter with calloused fingers, one had to read his stories. Today, younger generations find themselves born into a digital world of instant gratification, pixelated entertainment, and fewer paper cuts from swiping a screen as opposed to flipping a page. So it stands to reason that if we were to look for a 21st century Hemingway, we wouldn’t be looking for him on the book shelves, but rather our TV screens.
“I feel like we as a society continue to grow ‘softer’ thanks to all of the wonderful luxuries provided us by technological advances. We are no longer required, by and large, to spend time out in the elements, tending livestock, or gathering fuel for fires for our homes, for example. This allows our younger generations to enjoy a greater deal of leisure than previous generations, and so I see many youngsters spending their time indoors, playing on the computer or video games, or watching TV and movies. I would strongly advise that they spend a lot more time out in nature, wherever they can find it, even if that means a rooftop where a person might grow flowers or vegetables or investigate birds and insects. Walking in the woods or paddling down a stream will always be more deeply satisfying than any video game, but the nice thing is, you can do both! I also recommend working on projects outside if possible, like building fences or birdhouses, or digging holes and planting trees. There are very satisfying activities that continue to pay dividends for many, many years to come.”
No, this isn’t Ernest Hemingway speaking from the great beyond. This is Nick Offerman, or you may know him as Ron Swanson - the character he plays on the acclaimed television show Parks and Recreation. Swanson and Offerman have a great deal in common with each other, which makes for entertaining conversation and a sense of authenticity he brings to his character that reveals a lot about his views on life.
“We are both blessed with a healthy head of hair, not to mention very expressive eyebrows,” Offerman declared. “We are both besotted with woodworking, steak, scotch, the woods, canoeing, a woman who resembles Tammy 2 [a character from Parks & Rec played by his real wife Megan Mullally], and silence.”
But how does Offerman hold up to Hemingway? Let’s start with the obvious portrayal of both as “a man’s man.”
“Since I work primarily as an artist,” said Offerman, “whether it’s performing, writing, playing music, or woodworking, it seems rather silly to be so accused. I feel fortunate that my genes have blessed me with strength and constitution and healthy whiskers, but those qualities do not make a ‘man,’ in my opinion. From my perspective, a person could be weak of arm, tiring easily, or scared of his own shadow, or be bald as a baby’s sitting parts, and still be considered manly, if only he sticks to his principles and stands up for what he believes in. I think the notion of a ‘man’s man’ is a bit archaic, hearkening to a time when we depended much more heavily upon our abilities to hunt game and chop down trees and so forth to survive as a community. I would also point out,” Offerman adds, “that this thinking can be a little bit sexist, since I know many ladies who are better than I am when it comes to ‘manly’ activities.”
Beyond breaking down the gender barrier and clarifying the deeper sense of manhood, Offerman is also an author. While Hemingway certainly had a lengthy career filled with literary cornerstones that defined a new style of writing, Offerman is no slouch at the keyboard. His book, Paddle Your Own Canoe, gained much notoriety and acclaim for the heartfelt lessons and gritty advice we’ve come to expect from Parks Director Ron Swanson. Even in an age when television is the preferred medium of expression for many artists, writing is still a valued and more personal method of conveying one’s message.
“I’m glad to be contributing in my small way to the collection of the written word, as I firmly believe that nothing can recreate the alchemy produced by a printed book and the human imagination,” revealed Offerman. Even when challenged with writing a six-word story as Hemingway had been by one of his editors, Offerman delivers with a quintessentially stubborn yet humorous reply, “I don’t write stories, you nincompoop.”
And this brings up a unique contrast between Offerman and Hemingway: use of humor. Hemingway certainly had a firm command of the tool when he wanted a momentary reprieve of realism and a little levity added to a scene, but Offerman uses this particular tool less sparingly. As realism is subjective to the life being lived, it makes sense that Offerman chooses instead to wield humor as an integral part of what makes life worth living.
“Humor is incredibly important to my life and my health,” he says. “Life is full of things like hardship, sickness, poverty, stubbed toes, and bee stings. If one focuses only on those aspects, life can look very bleak. I prefer instead to focus on the bright spots, like the love of my wife and family and friends and dogs, and the flowers that grow along the fencerow, and most any leaf that I see. I really love leaves. Added to that outlook, I try to see humor wherever and whenever I can. If one is laughing, then the bad times don’t seem so bad after all. My favorite writer, Wendell Berry, has a quote: ‘Laughter is immeasurable. Be joyful though you have considered all the facts.’ I agree wholeheartedly.”
Beyond the obvious comparisons of the gruff and notorious icons, the question looms as to whether or not Offerman is even a fan of Hemingway’s. Perhaps such comparisons are too presumptuous. But more likely, giants only see far because they too stand on the shoulders of other giants.
“I have always greatly enjoyed the writing of Hemingway,” Offerman admits, “most of which I consumed in college. Of all his works, The Old Man and The Sea played the greatest part in my life, as I helped to stage a production of it at The Next Theater in Chicago in about 1994. I built large articulated puppets for the man-of-war bird and the marlin, and then I choreographed harpoon fights between the old man and the sharks, all represented by very talented dancers in masks. Adapting such a rich work of fiction to the stage was very rewarding, and the audiences agreed that it was a mighty worthwhile undertaking.”
A luxury, to some degree, of a writer is that they never have to embody a single character quite like an actor does. Though a writer breathes life into his or her characters on the page, an actor literally becomes the avatar of someone else’s creation and in this process, commonly ingrains a bit of themselves in the character. Hemingway never had to be confused on the street with Santiago. Yet how does Offerman, a thoughtful and talented actor, feel about being perceived in public as Ron Swanson, TV’s macho cabin-dwelling anti-government bureaucrat?
“I have absolutely no such complaints,” he says. “That is how the character is written, and so the only disappointment would be if he were NOT perceived that way. I find it extremely satisfying that my collaboration with the writers of Parks and Recreation has resulted in a character that is very effectively entertaining to the audience. While I also love a nice campfire in the woods and a cut of steak, I don’t feel any need to identify with Ron, or any of the many characters I play when working at my job of “actor,” so any perceptions of Ron, either positive or negative, don’t affect me personally.”
As an artist whose expressive medium of choice was the written word, Hemingway worked his musings about manhood, relationships, and life and death into his many novels. As an artist whose expressive medium of choice is acting, Offerman has less control over his message, written by others, and expresses himself more or less in the characters he chooses to portray and the manner in which he decides to live through them. Either way, when speaking of both Hemingway and Offerman, one is speaking of a man who stands by his convictions, shares his unique perspectives on life with the world, and is seen through homemade glasses that oftentimes hides the true artist himself behind the personas he creates.
I couldn’t help but ask Offerman if he had any questions he would have liked to have asked Papa Hemingway and likewise, if in hindsight he might have had any advice for him. In total Swanson/Offerman humorously existential fashion, he asked:
“What is it like after death? Can you still taste beer? Can you sensate physical sensations, or are you like a spirit? Have you been reincarnated as another person? Are you me? AM I HEMINGWAY?!
“Ernest, some advice: Be joyful though you have considered all the facts. Also, maybe lay off the gin.”