Publication

Hemingway's first book that was published was Three Stories and Ten Poems in 1923. A Farewell to Arms was the fifth book that was published. He became the leader of the "Lost Generation" concept which means that those men who went to war, their faith in the moral guideposts that had given them hope before, were no longer valid.

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Biography

Ernest Hemingway was born on July 21, 1899 in Oak Park, Illnois. At the age of 17, he published his first piece of literature. He lived till the age of 61 where he died of self inflicted gun shot wounds.

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"Noted by many as the best film version of a Hemingway novel."

Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

"It's not as good as the book, but it succeeds in its own right, which is really all I ask of adaptations."

Michael W. Phillips, Jr.
Goatdog's Movies

Alcoholism

Throughout the book, Henry is seen to be drinking many times whether it is after meals, celebrations, or just simply every occasion. To readers, the wine and other forms of alcohol are seen as a way of relieving stress and feelings of the war. Henry drinks after almost every meal, but it is probably due to the time period in which wine was popular as a form of drink. During his recovery in the hospital, Henry drinks himself and becomes ill with jaundice. Miss Van Campen, a nurse, believes he is drinking himself sick just to skip out on the war effort. Henry, however, tells the truth of not wanting to participate in the war anymore because it only brings sadness, anger, and death. Even after he escapes from the Italian army and goes to live with Catherine, he still drinks and does not worry about what it is doing to his body.

Rain Rain Go Away

Rain is a major symbol in A Farewell to Arms. Throughout the story, rain can be seen falling during the night with Catherine and Henry in the hospital, and at the end scene where Henry returns home. Rain is used to give a sense of hopelessness and despair. During the night with Catherine and Henry at the hospital, Catherine comments about the rain and how it scares her. She also includes that it brings tragedies to lovers. While Henry does not believe so, he comforts her. However, his belief is wrong during the night where Catherine and his son die in the hospital. Henry walks back to his home in the rain. It just goes to show that the rain in this piece of literature describes that love cannot last forever. 

Henry's Selfishness?

Henry is madly in love with Catherine. He cannot imagine being without her. If anything were to happen to her, Henry would probably end up committing suicide. He cares for her and only her, not the war, not his family in the United States, and surely not the people he befriended in the war. I see this as the right to his happiness. However, some people might argue that he is selfish and a bit apathetic towards others. An example would be the baby that was born. Henry clearly thought, "I had no feeling for him. he did not seem to have anything to do with me. I felt no feeling of fatherhood." This may be true, but looking from his perspective and during this time period, his actions and thoughts are justified.

An Unbreakable Love

Henry and Catherine have a love that is so great it cannot be broken by the war or any related problems. When the Italians began to shoot officers for not holding their positions, Henry decides to save himself by jumping in a river and escaping. He then searches for Catherine and eventually finds her. He loves her so much that he wants to spend the rest of his life with her and is willing to give up his family back in the United States and his rank as a lieutanant in the war. There is nothing left for him except his true love.

Forgive me Father for I have sinned

The author includes the priest in this book as a sort of balancing factor for the war and the sins that come along with it. When war begins, hatred is directed at the enemy and results in deaths to the many battles that accompany it. Soldiers begin to direct their feelings to others and the priest to them is an easy target. A priest cannot insult you, but can only bless you for your good deeds. While most of the soldiers make fun of the priest, Henry befriends him and is able to share some of his true feelings about the war.