A Farewell to Arms

Theme: The reality of war

Considerations: Synonyms Key scenes/Quotes Contentions of the novel Hemingway’s Authorial Purpose

The Reality of WarSYNONYMSConflictTurmoilDestructiveHorrificPainDeathBattleFormidable

SYNONYMS futile•Brutal•Monstrous•Insufferable•Desensitised•Pointless•Harsh•Inhumane

SYNONYMS cruelBarbaricExecrableWoefulDismalInevitableSoullessWastefulInescapableImmoral

Key Events/Quotes Warfront Henry Wounded Retreat from Caporetto Escape to Switzerland Milan – escape from Changing opinions of characters on

war Death of Catherine’s fiance Ettore

Key Events/Quotes Passini/Priest/Piani/Rinaldi Aymo’s death Henry’s execution of

deserting/dissenting engineers Impact of war on landscape Cholera Execution of officers by Italians Self-inflicted wounds

Key Events/Quotes Attempts at escape/distraction from

reality of war “only seven thousand died of

[cholera] in the army” p.4 “there is no finish to a war” p.48 “war is not won by victory” p.48 “everybody hates this war” p.48

Key Events/Quotes “There is nothing worse than war”

p.47 “One leg was gone and the other

was held by tendons” p.52 “you couldn’t believe how bad it’s

been. I’ve often thought you were lucky to be hit when you were” p.148“If everybody would not attack the war would be over” p. 46

Key Events/Quotes “Something picturesque” p.19 “they blew him all to bits” p.19 “You have the war disgust” p.64 P.3-4 landscape “bare-branched”

“brown” I try always to hope but sometimes I

cannot” p.66 “Abstract words such as glory,

honour, courage or hallow were obscene” p.165

Key Events/Quotes “Nothing to do. They come back for

me” p.34 “I’m very tired of this war” p.149 “The killing came suddenly and

unreasonably” p.194 “We’re in more danger from Italians

than Germans” p.190 “This war is terrible” p151

Key Events/Quotes “I was always embarrassed by the

words sacred, glorious and sacrifice and the expression in vain” p.165

“You are my best friend and war brother” p.154

“To your valorous wounds” p.60 “There were people who would make

war in this country there are many people like that” p.65

Key Events/Quotes “When people realise how bad it is

they can’t do anything to stop it” p.47

“One had so many friends in a war” p.141

“Where will we live after the war? In an old people’s home probably” p.126

“I look forward to when our son will be a Lieutenant Commander” p.127

Key Events/Quotes “This war is killing me. I am very

depressed by it” p.150 “He wanted to be a prisoner. He was

afraid we would get killed” p.193 “I had seen nothing sacred and the

things that were glorious had no glory” p.165

“If I go back they make me get operated on and then they’ll put me in the line all the time: p.34

Key Events/Quotes “stockyards of Chicago” p.165 “There was not the feeling of a

storm coming” p.3 “It is in defeat that we become

Christian” p.160 “I don’t believe in victory anymore”

p.161 “All thinking men are atheists” p.7

Key Events/Quotes “The bat was not frightened but

hunted in the room” p.92 “Many people have realised the war

this summer. Officers who I thought could never realise it, realise it now” p.159

“I knew I would not be killed in this war, it had nothing to do with me” p.35

“It is time of war” p.83

Key Events/Quotes “I’ve always been afraid of the rain”

p.113 “I was blown up while eating

cheese” p.63 “I’m afraid of the rain, sometimes I

can see myself dead in it” p.114 “I knew I was dead and that it had

all been a mistake to think you just died” p. 51

“They were all mechanics and hated the war” p.45

Claims/Differing Perspectives

War is exposed as being soul destroying

The landscape is scarred due to the destruction of war. War is indiscriminate

Only soldiers and others directly affected by war realise how terrible it is

As he grows increasingly disillusioned, Henry comes to realise that the war is senseless and futile

Claims/Differing Perspectives

War is the manifestation of man’s hatred and greed and thus cannot exist with a religion proclaiming the good of man

The natural order is not defeated by war. Enduring war is distant and not part of their reality

War is the tale of how patriots make the ultimate sacrifice and how leaders butcher their own citizens

Claims/Differing Perspectives

War impacts on the physical, emotional, spiritual and psychological wellbeing of its participants

Women in war become the embodiment of male sexual fantasy

War denies people the ability to remain true to their faith

Claims/Differing Perspectives

War is a futile and insurmountable event that exemplifies the immorality of man

War only brings misery to those doomed to witness its merciless rampage

Hemingway’s Perspective

As a survivor of World War One, Hemingway is insistent that war is senseless and only inflicts pain and suffering on those involved.

By presenting gruesomely realistic depictions of the warfront and war injuries, Hemingway forces the audience to witness the true horrors of war.

Hemingway’s Perspective

The journalistic style of writing demonstrates the necessity of soldiers to deal with facts rather than allowing themselves to become emotionally involved in the experience of war.

Hemingway presents not just characters, but rather real people affected by the brutality of war.