He is definitely in the same camp as Hemingway. Hell, he’s probably the president of that camp!
Personally, I don’t like the idea that every single detail must have some significance to the plot. It’s not realistic to how we see the real world, and it limits the storyteller’s ability to add depth to their world.
Good grief, she said that weeks ago! That little comment permanently damaged his ego on a profound level, didn’t it.