Progression of Love in Ernest Hemingways A Farewell to Arms

The Progression of Love in A Farewell to Arms There are two major themes in A Farewell to Arms that Hemingway clearly conveys: war and love. The war theme is obvious because the book is set during the World War. The theme of love is less obvious, it begins faintly because of the uncertainty between Frederick Henry and Catherine Barkley. Neither desire love or commitment to anyone, but act upon their desires of passion. As the story progresses, so does their love. The strength of their love is enforced by various understandings and agreements. Love is the theme that closes the book, leaving a final allusion of what their love is about. When the two first meet, Catherine is still dealing with the death of her fiancà © in†¦show more content†¦At this point, Henry does not know anything of love. Throughout the whole First Book, Henry ignorantly disregards any possibility of love.  ³I knew I did not love Catherine Barkley nor had any idea of loving her ² (30). He willfully entered a relationship with Catherine, but did not have serious intentions with her, yet. To him it was just a  ³game ... in which you said things ² like  ³I love you ² (30). Henry casually speaks of this so-called love to Catherine, but her past experience with her fiancà © have made her cautious when dealing with love. She knows the reality of love and the extent of Henry ¹s feelings,  ³You don ¹t have to pretend you love me ² (31). Henry himself is puzzled by the concept of love and asks the priest for his interpretation of the subject. The priest explains to him that his present feelings are  ³only passion and lust ² (72). Therefore, Henry decides that if this is all he feels, then he could never love anyone. His misconception of love puts him at a disadvantage with Catherine. It isn ¹t until after he is wounded, that he realizes that he is actually in love with Catherine.  ³When I saw her I was in love with her. Everything turned over inside of me ² (91). This sudden revelation stems from the trauma that he has just endured on the front line and with his leg wound. It is likely that Henry would eventually fall in love with Catherine, but his near death experience definitely sped up the declaration. Henry genuinelyShow MoreRelatedThe Death Of Franz Ferdinand Of Austria1736 Words   |  7 Pagesacting â€Å"neutral† journeyed to Europe and joined other Allied armies. At the time, Ernest Hemin gway was an American soldier who joined the Red Cross as an ambulance driver on his quest to see the war (Ruediger). After the war, he wrote A Farewell to Arms, a self-inspired story about his experiences. Hemingway’s atypical novel, set amidst the chaos of WWI, describes a heartbreaking romance that teaches that even love cannot prevent suffering. 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