Life’s Dispute

It is interesting to explore the work of art of Ernest Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms. In the story, it gives the readers a sense of responsibility hand in hand with intense love for someone that the protagonist has to his beloved. The blend of one’s conviction and love are the focal elements in the author’s masterpiece.

As the author shed light to the intriguing scenario of the story, at some point, the readers would have passionate longing and at the same time a huge responsibility to his craft. It is indeed in this story that the author uses the realities of life which truly give emphasis to the norm of the story.

Furthermore, A Farewell to Arms involves a great representation of one’s ideals in life. On how the central character portrays his conviction all through out the story is the essential part of this paper. The elaboration of ideals as well as realities of life will be presented in this dissertation.

In lieu of the story, Frederick Henry is the leading character. He’s a volunteer ambulance driver which has a huge responsibility in the realm that he is into but at the same time, at the back of his mind, he is thinking about the indifferent world. Accordingly, he does his work efficiently but along the way, he makes a gesture that he misses the point wherein the essentiality his work does not serve his persona anymore.

In addition to the protagonist ideals in life, it was characterized in the story how he passionately fall in love with Catherine with whom he focuses his attention. The deep rooted feelings that he established towards Catherine truly leave a mark to his character and on the later part of the story, it was clearly shown how he stand with his love despite the challenges that comes their way.

Catherine Barkley was said to be the one behind the character of Frederick Henry. She was once loose her fiancé. She met Frederick Henry in the hospital. They both got attracted with each other which lead them to have a relationship. Their affair was intensely depicted in the story which enlightens the very essence of A Farewell to Arms. Catherine’s character without a doubt had a huge impact to Frederick Henry’s character. She simply defines the perseverance of the central character by using their love as central element, “I want what you want.

There is no any me any more just what you want” (Hemingway, p.106). The characteristic of Frederick Henry is not the serious type when it comes to relationship, “I did not love Catherine Barkley nor had any idea of loving her. This was a game, like bridge, in which you said things instead of playing cards. Like bridge you had to pretend you were playing for money or playing for some stakes. Nobody had mentioned what the stakes were” (Hemingway, p. 31). As Frederick Henry had an attachment to Catherine, his feelings transforms in a much deeper character of a man with conviction to his girl.

On the later part of the story when Catherine had difficulty in her pregnancy and to the extent that she looses her life with their baby, it expounds the strength in the leading role’s character as he stand firm and with open arms accept the challenges of life. Truly, the world is indifferent in the eyes of Frederick Henry but because of Catherine’s contributions to his life, he became strong with a grip to love the life that he has.

Rinaldi, a physician and a friend to Frederick Henry was one of the contributing characters in the story. Through this man, it draws a picture of concentrated aim for the best. He focuses his attention to two things – war and country. This man talks about medal of bravery and development in ones craft. Indeed, it gives the leading character to have a perception as regards to work as well as to excel in his field.

Passini, another effective character in A Farewell to Arms delineates the intention of the story. Considering his character, his views in life was to quit with what he is doing.

He wanted to end the war just like that because he does not appreciate anymore the imperative task he is portraying, “One side must stop fighting. Why don’t we stop fighting” (Hemingway, p.51). Unfortunately, he died in the event of the story, and this circumstance serves an eye opener to the protagonist that when you relinquish the struggle, you almost surrender yourself.