Blog Topic 5

Personal Review

Ernest Hemingway's A Farewell to Arms is an enjoyable, easy to read novel that gives an in-depth perception of the life of a WWII soldier. It is unique because unlike many other war novels the main tragedy is not the physical effects of battle but the mental effects that war has on the individual. Henry is tolerant of the war and he only feels truly depressed when not with Catherine. The story is entertaining because it follows one man, and all his triumphs and sufferings are felt in full effect. Because of the simple dialogue I was able to relate to many situations and therefore the story affected me more on a sympathetic level. However, Hemingway's occasional long descriptions of scenery detracted from the main purpose of the story and made it less enjoyable. Hemingway's bold use of vulgarity adds realism and also humor to the story. Through this authentic dialogue, Hemingway effectively develops the character of Henry- an unselfish, tolerant man who has the virile desires of drinking and women. What makes the story most unique is that is that Henry tells it in the past tense. Therefore the reader knows that Henry will not die. Also, it was interesting to know that everything he wrote were his emotions after Catherine's death. Hemingway writes as if Henry could not get over her death and that is why Henry wrote the memoir. The too-good-to-be-true situation of Catherine and Henry living peacefully in Switzerland shows that a climax will come soon. Unfortunately, to my disliking, both Catherine and her child die. While I do not like unhappy endings, the ending revealed a lasting truth- that war and love is a fatal combination.