A Farewell to Arms
In Hemingway's book, A Farewell to Arms, there are many moral lessons to be learned.One of the primary lessons is to be prepared and expect the unexpected. Many instances inthe novel support this idea. For instance, the main character, Frederic Henry, never dreamsthat he will fall in love with Catherine Barkley. At first, he only wishes to use her and takeadvantage of her situation, but later, he begins to look past his lustful desires and truly loveCatherine. The irony that Hemingway uses sets the tone for the many unexpected events. At the beginning of the novel when Catherine and Frederic first meet, Fredericmakes it very clear that he does not intend to fall in love with her. He says plainly that hedoes not love her and he has no intention to. He is only playing a game with her,
It is like saying goodbye to a statue (Hemingway 332). When theyescape to Switzerland they are so deeply in love that they want to isolate themselves fromeverything except each other. Their love grows strong and lasts through Catherine's lastbreath. likebridge, in which words are used instead of cards (Hemingway 30). Many emotions come from these unforeseen events. At the front, the Italian offensive begins and Frederic takesshelter in a dugout; but a canister shell hits it and severely wounds his legs. The traumatizing,life-threatening events that Frederic witnesses during the war convince him to desert thearmed forces. But in all honesty, the brutal effects of war hit Frederic hard in twoaspects: physically and mentally. But Catherine'sdeath puts a quick end to the plan. He is sent to anAmerican hospital in Milan where he takes a leave from his duty. Frederic never wants her love; but he is devastated when he loses it. Along with Frederic, Catherine also encounters a surprising occurrence. Hereturns to the hospital room hoping for the chance to give his last condolences but thenrealizes that it is no good. Mentally the war takesanother toll on Frederic. The shock of reality is sometimes too overwhelming for theaverage soul and Hemingway demonstrates this by telling us to never underestimate thepower and cruelty of a situation.
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