A Farewell to Arms
Ernest Hemingway
Ernest Hemingway
The Author:
Nobel Prize winner, Hemingway is most known for his post-WWI literature which embraced a new type of prose. He worked for a newspaper before going to fight in the Italian army during the war, and drew inspiration from his experiences for several books, including A Farewell to Arms. In fact, the book is semi-autobiographical.
Nobel Prize winner, Hemingway is most known for his post-WWI literature which embraced a new type of prose. He worked for a newspaper before going to fight in the Italian army during the war, and drew inspiration from his experiences for several books, including A Farewell to Arms. In fact, the book is semi-autobiographical.
Summary:
The story is of an American ambulance driver in the Italian army. He’s a typical guy in that he enjoys women, alcohol, and the camaraderie he finds with the soldiers he hangs out with. Although considered “one of the guys” he has a soft spot for the British nurse he meets, named Catherine Barkley. He gets injured at the front, and is transferred to another hospital in Maggiore. There, Catherine joins him and becomes dependent on his love for her as he slowly recovers from his wounds.
The story is of an American ambulance driver in the Italian army. He’s a typical guy in that he enjoys women, alcohol, and the camaraderie he finds with the soldiers he hangs out with. Although considered “one of the guys” he has a soft spot for the British nurse he meets, named Catherine Barkley. He gets injured at the front, and is transferred to another hospital in Maggiore. There, Catherine joins him and becomes dependent on his love for her as he slowly recovers from his wounds.
Context:
The context of the story is the Italian front in WWI. Hemingway was actually an ambulance driver for the Italian army, and draws much of the story from his own experience (even some of the romantic relationships.) Although it is a love story, the book in no way hides the brutalities of war, a new approach for literature of the time.
The context of the story is the Italian front in WWI. Hemingway was actually an ambulance driver for the Italian army, and draws much of the story from his own experience (even some of the romantic relationships.) Although it is a love story, the book in no way hides the brutalities of war, a new approach for literature of the time.
Purpose:
Although the purpose was most likely not to discuss war, many of the main characters in the book disclose a strong dislike of the ongoing fight, and those who made it. The book is from the perspective of people who are stuck in a war that never seems to end, and their fear of an everlasting menace colors the book in an anti-war light. Thus, in a subtle way, I believe the Hemingway did convey a message, whether that was his intention or not.
Although the purpose was most likely not to discuss war, many of the main characters in the book disclose a strong dislike of the ongoing fight, and those who made it. The book is from the perspective of people who are stuck in a war that never seems to end, and their fear of an everlasting menace colors the book in an anti-war light. Thus, in a subtle way, I believe the Hemingway did convey a message, whether that was his intention or not.
Audience:
Although certainly not restricted, the book was probably intended for anyone in America who reads novels. As it occurs during the war, it would probably catch the interest of many Americans who still have memories if the fighting fresh in their minds.
Although certainly not restricted, the book was probably intended for anyone in America who reads novels. As it occurs during the war, it would probably catch the interest of many Americans who still have memories if the fighting fresh in their minds.
Rhetorical Devices:
Hemingway’s style can only be describes as sparse. His primary device is simply the lack of devices all together. The dialogue is short, the descriptions lacking, and the plot uninvolved. The characters seem to lack depth of emotion, and therefore no such feelings are reflected to the reader. This was not specific to this book, however, as Hemingway is famous for his style which is used to reflect “primitive people whose courage and honesty are set against the brutal ways of modern society”.
Hemingway’s style can only be describes as sparse. His primary device is simply the lack of devices all together. The dialogue is short, the descriptions lacking, and the plot uninvolved. The characters seem to lack depth of emotion, and therefore no such feelings are reflected to the reader. This was not specific to this book, however, as Hemingway is famous for his style which is used to reflect “primitive people whose courage and honesty are set against the brutal ways of modern society”.
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