画家托马斯历经坎坷，先后有过两次婚变，婚后所生三子均归前妻抚养。他热爱自己的事业和孩子，常常陪孩子出海钓鱼，父子之间感表深厚。不幸的是两个儿子死于车祸，仅剩的一个儿子又有二次大战中牺牲。最后，托马斯决定入下画笔，抛却个人悲欢，投身于反法西斯战争的洪流中。在精神与肉体遭受严酷考验的情况下，托马斯始终坚忍不屈，顽强地与敌人周旋，在他的身上集中体现了海明威笔下经常出现的"硬汉"的特征，是一个塑造得相当成功的艺术典型。(The painter Thomas experienced the ups and downs and has two times' divorce that three children born after marriage were raised by ex-wives. He loves his career and children and often accompanies the child to go fishing. The affection between them is deep. Unfortunately the two sons died in a car accident and the only son sacrificed in World War Two. Finally, Thomas decided to give up personal joys and sorrows, putting the brush down and joined in the anti-fascist war. In the mental and physical suffering situation, Thomas was always unyielding and tenacious dealt with the enemy. In his body reflects Hemingway "tough guy" characteristics and is a very successful art typical shape.)