”A Farewell to Arms”,a short story based on events of world war 1 that highlights a life of Lt.Frederic Henry who fell in love with a girl and escape the battlefield for getting her love.Thanks for being here.In this artcle,we’ll discuss:
- Author introduction
- Characters
- A farewell to arms summary
- Analysis
- Themes
- Symbols
- Conclusion
Author
This short story is a work of Ernest Hemingway.He wrote this story back in 1928 and it explores theme of war,love,pain and passion.Some of Hemingway famous works though:
A Farewell to Arms Characters
Lieutenant Frederic Henry
He’s the main character or protagonist of this short story. He worked as ambulance driver for the Italian army during world war 1.
Catherine Barkley
She served as nurse during war time and Henry fell in love with her.
Rinaldi
He was Henry friend who introduced him to Catherine.
A Farewell to Arms Summary
The story starts when Lieutenant Frederic Henry was working as driver of an ambulance in Italian army.Then,the winter outbreak of cholera epidemic broke and he came on vacation or some rests from battlefield.Henry met his friend Rinaldi who introduced him to Catherine and a fellow nurse.In the start,Rinaldi has affection for Catherine but later he left the story because of deep love of Catherine and Henry.
Their love story runs till Henry moved back to battlefield.This time Henry got leg injury and admitted in Milan hospital.For his surprise, Catherine served as nurse there.They both again continue their love story till Henry injury seems better.When Henry leg injury healed up,he was sent back to war again.Catherine told him that she’s pregnant and expecting baby.
Henry face the Germans from the front.He observed that Italians were losing control of war and heading back from front field.Some of Italian police were killing those soldiers who were running back from battlefield.Henry also took asylum with remaining soldiers in a farm.The police was behind Henry as they moved back from battlefield.
For the sake of his life,Henry dived into river.He already knew that Catherine is near Switzerland border area.He joined her there (Stresa Town)and they both left for Switzerland.
The couple spend days in town named “Montreux“.When Catherine pregnancy was near to giving birth,they moved near to a town named “Lausanne“that was close to hospital.
The story ends when Catherine gave birth to still born child and later she also died because of postpartum hemorrhage.This ending left Henry lonely and he moves to the hotel in rain with the sad face.
A Farewell to Arms Analysis
We have discussed many other works of Ernest Hemingway.Some of his novels depict war stories like the one (Sun Also Rises).If you read this short story,it tell the events and the cruelties humans experience during war time.They can’t find love and if they do so,they lost it.Further,one can analyze that how much government pressure was on individuals for going to battle field.
A Farewell to Arms Themes
The setting of farewell to arms take place in Italy highlighting period of 1916.This story explores these themes for readers:
War
The main theme of war is found in the story.Henry is the example of man who worked and experienced war impacts.
Love
Catherine and Henry relationship defines their affection and love for one another.They both even moved far from Italy for starting new life.
Fear
You must have read above that Henry dives into river.The reason was fear of death as he left battlefield.
Masculinity And Heroism
Author elaborated masculinity concept by discussing Henry as a brave man of zeal and zest.Further,the impact of war on one courage and emotions is also found in the story.
Duty
Both Catherine and Henry served in the war.One worked as nurse while other as driver.This shows they delivered for their nation as much as they can.
A Farewell To Arms Symbols
Here are symbols and what they define in the story:
- Rain define sadness and disintegrator of happiness.
- Mountains elaborate home or a free space
- Rivers symbolize freedom from past.
Conclusion:A Farewell to Arms Summary
In nutshell,A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway sets in the period of world war one.It highlights a love story of Catherine and Henry.The story was published back in year 1929 and delighted many literature lovers.Overall,this short story introduce you to events and the calamities of world war one.
- So,this was our A Farewell to Arms short summary and themes.