Text Connections
One of the most consistent problems in the novel is alcohol. Henry essentially reveres alcohol and it is often the conclusion to many situations. Just like most alcoholics, Henry uses alcohol as a temporary pain reliever. Henry describes with passion the various forms of alcohol he imbibes. This glorification hides the unfortunate dependency he has. Henry drinks alcohol to make ease of painful situations, which often involve Catherine. However, he fails to find an honest and lasting way to deal with stress, just as many alcoholics do. It can be inferred that Henry will continue his old ways even after Catherine’s death. The rain on the day of her death symbolizes the drinking and dulling of the pain of death. Thus it can be further interpreted that Hemingway associates drinking with death. Since this book was written during the time of prohibition, Hemingway embraced the subject. In the beginning of the book it might seem that drinking was glamorous and Hemingway was sponsoring it. However, near the end of the story, drinking loses its appeal, and is shed in a bad light. Ironically, it is Catherine that dies from alcohol- she is told that drinking beer will widen her hips. This event is a fatal example of the inability of alcohol to do nothing but give a false remedy- it is only temporary and often leads to death.
I agree entirely, alcoholism is a very pertinent connection within the novel. Like you said, World War I was around the period of prohibition in America, and Lieutenant Henry, being enlisted in Italy, is capable of getting his hands on a variety of alcohol. Due to his alcoholism, his heath not only deteriorates, exemplified by his jaundice, but it also leads to the death of his wife. I am curious, though, as to why doctors and nurses back in the early 20th century did not realize that alcohol causes complications in pregnancies. Whatever the case, alcoholism is the desired solution to Frederic's problems, and also the real source of his problems.
ReplyDeleteI too agree with the connection that you have pointed out. I also connected Henry's reverence for alcohol with present day issues. Henry's use of alcoholic beverages becomes his "escape" from reality and the horrors of war that are occurring all around him. It is the same with many individuals that we witness today who abuse alcoholic beverages in order to alleviate the pain that they may be going through. While I compared Henry's abuse to that of individuals of our current era, you also connected it with the concept of Prohibition and I thought that was extremely insightful. Also, your incorporation of the symbolic side of the death of Henry's wife was very informative and your connection between this death and alcohol was very strong.
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