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A Farewell to Arms

To evaluate Hemingway's A Farewell to Arms, one needs to overcome the possible objections that might be made to it. One is that the events in the story are unlikely to happen. What American would want to fight in the Italian army? Would an officer really be seen driving an ambulance? Are people really cruel enough to destroy people for simply disobeying an instruction? What are the chances of a British woman and an American man meeting and falling in love in Italy? Another objection that might be made to the novel is that it is written poorly: run-on sentences, confusing dialogue, emphasis on the wrong subjects, and unnatural characterization. It is possible to defend A Farewell to Arms against these objections, as well as to point out the story's power and artistic vitality. Its worth may be found in its truth, affirmation and beauty.

The objection that A Farewell to Arms is unlikely to happen cannot be maintained because the story is solidly grounded in truth about human beings. Many people believe that there is no such thing as love at first sight; that it takes time to get to know, understand, and, finally, love another person. However, one needs to take into consideration drastic times. Humans tend to do spontaneous things during times they believe are near the end, such as war. Frederick Henry and Catherine Barkley are examples of humanity rushing into things. On their first meeting Henry decided he would marry her. Even before he told his friends that he was courting Catherine, he had made his decision. "Did you have any beautiful adventures?"
"Yes."
"Where?"
"…In Milano."
"That was because it was first. Where did you meet her?…"
"You don't believe me?… I am now in love with Miss Barkley… I will probably marry Miss Barkley" (11-12).
Even after Henry got to know Catherine a little better, he decided he still wanted to marry her, just so he could save himself trouble later. "I thought [Catherine] was probably a little crazy. It was all right if she was. I did not care what I was getting into" (30). At one point he did not even love Catherine anymore, but he felt he needed to stay with her because he might not find another. Human beings are known to be spontaneous and irrational, so even if there is no truth in "love at first sight," there is truth in human tendencies and traits.

Hemingway affirms that life and love are valuable and worthy of respect and dignity. The main characters, Frederick Henry and Catherine Barkley, are hard to connect with when they are first introduced. Readers grow attached to them as they follow their romance. What started out as a game, turned into a love that must be admired and respected. This kind of love is a major step in any person's life and Hemingway demonstrated its importance through the tribulations the couple had to overcome for this love to prevail. One of the first situations that may have prevented their romance was the injury Henry sustained on his knee. He was cooped up in a hospital and was unable to see Catherine as often as he liked, but still found a way.
Catherine sat in a chair by the bed. The door opened into the hall. The wildness was gone and I felt finer that I had ever felt.
"…You've got to stay. They can't send you away. I'm crazy in love with you."
"We'll have to be awfully careful… We can't do that" (92).
Life and love are again affirmed when Henry deserts the army to be with Catherine. It could cost him severe punishment, as an officer, but once again, the love they shared must be respected because Henry was willing to risk that. Through the final events of the novel, Hemingway affirms the value of life by showing its impact after it is gone. Catherine and Henry took life for granted all through the novel, but did not realize it. Catherine then ended up losing a life. Her baby was the product of the love between her and Henry, then all of a sudden it was gone. Henry learned the same lesson, that life is valuable, when he lost his love, Catherine. Even though love and life were lost, their value and worth are affirmed.

The beauty of A Farewell to Arms may be found in Hmingway's style, point of view, and imagery. Hemingway's unique style of writing put the reader inside Frederick Henry's head. His emphasis on certain events helped develop the character.
At the start of the winter came the permanent rain and with the rain came the cholera. But it was checked and in the end only seven thousand died of it in the army (4).
This understatement helps the reader understand that Henry's main concerns were not about the war. The reader can also connect with Henry through Hemingway's syntax. The way Hemingway writes resembles the way a person thinks: disjointed thoughts, run-on sentences, and incomplete ideas.
I wanted us to be married really because I worried about having child if I thought about it, but we pretended to ourselves we were married and did not worry much and I supposed I enjoyed not being married really (115).
A Farewell to Arms is told from Henry's point of view and that is part of what makes it unique. Through his thoughts, words, and actions, the reader gets images of the war. An understanding of what life was like as an officer during World War One is presented and war on the front is elaborated. Hemingway's style, point of view, and imagery are all what make him unique and those combined are what contribute to the beauty of A Farewell to Arms.

Ernest Hemingway is often criticized for his very unique style of writing. By English standards it is unreal and incorrect, but Hemingway has overcome these criticisms in his work, A Farewell to Arms. The extravagant events in the novel are confirmed by the ring of truth about human nature that is presented through this piece of literature: humans are spontaneous and irrational. Hemingway has established and affirmed that love and life are valuable and worthy of respect. His unique style is supported by the idea that it makes the reader more aware of the characters and plot of the novel. By overcoming possible objections, Hemingway has proved A Farewell to Arms to have worth.