A FAREWELL TO ARMS

ERNEST HEMINGWAY
SUMMARY BOOK I

• It´s summer in a small Italian village during

the world war I. Officers speed by in “ small
gray motor car” If one of this cars travels
especially fast, Henry speculates, it is
probably carrying the king.
• A colera epidemic sweeps through the army
and kills seven thousand souldiers.
 Lieutenant Henry moves to some places in
Italy including some brothels. He discusses
his adventures with his friend and rommate
Rinaldi. Rinaldi tells him of Catherine
Barkley.
 Henry becomes acquanted with Catherine
while Rinaldi spends time with Helen
Ferguson.
 Henry keeps visiting Catherine and she asks
him if he loves her; he says yes.
 Henry is called for the upcoming offensive in
tow days.
 Henry goes to Pavla, to the attack.
 When eating with other drivers, they go
through an attack. Thers is “a flash as when a
blast-furnace door is swung open.” Henry
finds himself unable to breathe and thinks
himself to die.
 He goes to the hospital and his friend informs
him that he will be decorated for heroism in
battle.
 The doctors are anxoius ti ship Henry to Milan,
where he can receive a better treatment for
his injured knee and leg.
Motifs

 Masculinity: Readers will notice thread in

the portrayal and celebration of a certain
kind of man: domineering, supremely
competent, and swaggeringly viril. Rinaldiis
a faithful friend and an oversexed
womanizer.
 Games and Divertissement: Henry and
Catherinebegin flirting each other in ordr to
forget personal troubles.
 SUMMARY BOOK II

• Frederic is as wounded and vulnerable as

Catherine; he falls in love with her despite his
decision to avoid such a relationship. They are now
TWO war victims.
• Summer and early fall of 1917, Frederic slowly
recuperates in Milan. He and Catherine live a
carefree life.
• They cannot marry because of war regulations.
Catherine would be forced to return to England if
she married.
 Catherine discovers that she is pregnant.
 October rain begins to fall.
 They part at a train station while the rain
pours down.
 Summary Book III

 The mood at Goritzia is more serious than when

Henry left.
 Henry tell the priest that he doesn’t believe in
victory or defeat, but only in sleep.
 Austrian and German troops have broken the
Italian line. Henry and company cut across from
the muddy countryside.
Book III

 Two drivers run away. Henry shoots

one of them. Bonello finishes him off.

 They try to sneak along the river and

Aymo is shot by friendly fire.

 Henry jumps into the river.

Book III

 Henry, disguised, sneaks onto a train

going to Milan.

 When lying in a pile of guns Henry

decides he is done with war and that
Catherine is all that matters to him.
Summary Book IV and V

 Henry decides to take Catherine to a safe

place and to abandon the army.

 Henry feels guilty for having abandoned the

army.

 Emilio helps Henry to escape with Catherine

to Switzerland.
 Happiness at the countryside.
Book IV

 Happiness at the countryside.

 The wait for Henry and Catherine’s

beloved baby.

 The baby’s birth and Catherine’s

death.
 THEMES

• War

• The Relationship Between Love and Pain

 Self versus duty

Motifs

 Masculinity: Readers will notice thread in

the portrayal and celebration of a certain
kind of man: domineering, supremely
competent, and swaggeringly viril. Rinaldiis
a faithful friend and an oversexed
womanizer.
 Games and Divertissement: Henry and
Catherinebegin flirting each other in ordr to
forget personal troubles.
 SYMBOLS

 Rain

 The River

 Officer’s Stars

 Hair and Beards