Ernest Hemingway’s 1929 novel, “A Farewell to Arms,” is a timeless classic that has captivated readers for generations. The novel follows the story of Frederick Henry, an American who serves as an ambulance driver in the Italian army during World War I. He meets and falls in love with Catherine Barkley, a British nurse serving in the Red Cross. Together, the two must navigate the complicated romance of Henry’s time in service, their growing feelings for one another, and the deteriorating social and political implications of war.
The story opens as Henry arrives in Italy, joining his new regiment as a lieutenant. He quickly establishes himself as an independent thinker and an honorable man, a contrast to the strict regulation of the Italian military. Still, Henry abides by the rules of the regiment, especially since his job as an ambulance driver takes him away from the bloodshed of the battlefield. He finds solace in his friendships with his fellow drivers, as well as the numerous pubs and cafes he visits in town.
Soon after his arrival, Henry meets Nurse Catherine Barkley. She is a beautiful, strong woman who has lost the love of her life. The two fall in love, and Catherine falls pregnant. Despite their relationship, Henry maintains his role in duty to the Italian army.
When Italy passes the Caporetto law, Henry is involuntarily transferred to a unit that marks the beginning of his journey away from the comfort of love to his duty as an officer in the Italian army. The brutality of the war is intensified by Henry's unique position. He is an American in an Italian unit fighting against his own country’s fellows. He struggles to maintain his composure and sense of identity in the midst of it all.
As the war rages on, the mental and physical toll of battle become unbearable for Henry. He is captured by the Austrians and placed in a prisoner-of-war camp until his unit takes the camp back from the Austrians. After a series of events, Henry returns to Catherine, who is devastated by his apparently cowardly actions in battle. Nonetheless, the couple resolves to flee together but eventually separate and return to their respective homes.
Henry continues to think of Catherine until he receives a letter from a priest, who reveals that Catherine has died from childbirth. With her death, Henry's faith in love and life is forever changed. He embraces a newfound philosophy of sadness and loneliness, believing that life is a tragedy, not meant to understand.
The novel ends with Henry departing Italy and sailing off to the United States. Though the couple never reunite, “A Farewell to Arms” stands as a testament to the power of love and its potential to override war and tragedy. Henry and Catherine’s story serves as a reminder that although love may come and go, it is still a powerful and ever-present force in the world.
