‘Hemingway urges us to open ourselves up to the possibility and transformational power of love.’ Discuss with reference to Frederic Henry’s journey in A Farewell to Arms.

Topic Analysis Transformational ⇒ positive change, metamorphosis, conversion Love: romantic, fraternal, Catherine & Henry, Henry & Rinaldi, soldiers and camaraderie

Contention & Ideas Henry is transformed by his falling in love with Catherine –Aimless, without purpose at start of text. –In Italy because war broke out while he was there (not a conscious/proactive decision to serve in army) –Has drifted away from family (provide financial support, otherwise distant) –Closest he comes to love in early stages is through camaraderie with others, espec. Rinaldi. ⇒ role of priest?

Henry resists/denies love in early stages, giving preference to affairs, brief liaisons; a womaniser who is not interested in lasting commitment; a man’s man more interested in the fraternal love of his ‘brothers in arms’. Freely admits he has never been in love. Does not appear to be seeking love ⇒ note the circumstances that lead him to meet Catherine; he is there to accompany Rinaldi.

Henry’s feelings for Catherine intensify while he is recuperating ⇒ has time to reflect on his situation, the war and the future. Futility of war, its meaninglessness to Henry leads to an increasing desire to take charge of his own fate; to give up the army for love and a future with Catherine. Prior to this the army has supported his drifting & lack of purpose.

Symbolism of Henry fleeing from the Carabinieri and jumping into the river. He drifts along (symbolic of his aimlessness and the lack of purpose in his life) and undergoes a baptism of sorts. He emerges from the river a different man – purposeful, definite, an individual, a man looking to a future with Catherine rather than the uncertainty & brutality of war.

Henry risks a great deal in his love but gains even more…‘tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all…’ He becomes complete – a man who has experienced love is to be admired over a man who has never loved… He leaves behind his womanising and pretending for love and honesty.

Useful Evidence “Did you have any beautiful adventures?” Rinaldi, p. 11 ‘I myself felt as badly as he did and could not understand why I had not gone. It was what I had wanted to do…’ p. 12 “Yes,” I lied. “I love you.” I had not said it before. P. 29 “I’ve come back to Catherine in the night.” p. 29 ‘I knew I did not love Catherine Barkley nor had any idea of loving her.’ p. 29

“Thank God I did not become involved with the British.” Rinaldi, p. 31 ‘I wish she were here now…Maybe she would pretend that I was her boy that was killed’ p. 36 ‘The priest was good but dull. The officers were not good but dull…The wine was bad but not dull.’ p. 37 ‘…suddenly I felt lonely and empty…I was feeling lonely and hollow.’ p. 39

“What you tell me about in the nights. That is not love. That is only passion and lust. When you love you wish to do things for. You wish to sacrifice for. You wish to serve.” The priest, p. 66 “I don’t love.” Henry, p. 66 ‘When I saw her I was in love with her. Everything turned over inside me.’ p. 84 ‘God knows I had not wanted to fall in love with her. I had not wanted to fall in love with anyone. But God knows I had…’ p. 85

“Keep right on lying to me. That’s what I want you to do.” Henry, p. 95 ‘I had seen nothing sacred, and the things that were glorious had no glory and the sacrifices were like the stockyards at Chicago if nothing was done with the meat except to bury it.’ p.165 “Are you really there?” p. 176 ‘I was not against them. I was through. I wished them all luck.’ p. 206 ‘…we were never lonely and never afraid when we were together.’ p. 222

‘I felt faint with loving her so much.’ p. 230 “Then too you are in love. Do not forget that is a religious feeling.” Count Greffi, p. 234 “I’m no good when you’re not there.” Henry, p. 266 ‘This was what people got for loving each other.’ p. 283

Hemingway shows a great interest in the power of meaningful relationships with others. In his novel ‘A Farewell to Arms’ Hemingway’s protagonist, whose experiences are largely influenced by Hemingway’s own during World War One, embarks on a journey that is greatly influenced by the romantic and fraternal relationships he develops with Catherine Barkley and his fellow soldiers. It is these relationships that challenge Frederic Henry and allow him to transform into a more determined and experienced human being. In the beginning stages of the novel, Frederic Henry represents the quintessential drifter. He is disconnected from those around him as he sees himself as an imposter. Initially, Henry resists the possibility of love, instead valuing his comrades and their impulsive and immoral behaviour. While this behaviour could be seen as deplorable, it allows the men to bond as they try desperately to survive the horror that is the war. It is this camaraderie that provides Henry’s first real experience of love. However, over time and as his experiences in the war allow him to be separated from it, Frederic Henry’s relationship with Catherine is able to flourish as they support and give themselves wholly to each other. It is Catherine who teaches Frederic the all-consuming power of love and it is through her devotion to him and his to her that Henry is able to become a more fulfilled and driven individual. INTRODUCTION General opening statement about the novel Introduce title and author Established contention Topic/Focus for first body paragraph Topic/Focus for second body paragraph Topic/Focus for third body paragraph Topic/Focus for fourth body paragraph Introduce the ideas you intend to discuss further in your body paragraphs

At the outset of the novel, Frederic Henry appears aimless and detached from those around him. Being an American volunteer in the Italian Army, he feels as though he is separate from the only people who could understand him. Not only is he a foreigner but he is also a mere ambulance driver who is not directly involved in battle. Whilst feeling like an imposter, Henry also is beginning to question the war effort which he sees as being wasteful. As an ambulance driver he is constantly surrounded by death and suffering and it is this exposure to the brutality of war that makes it impossible for him to consider the possibility of love initially. He believes he is incapable of love, admitting to the Priest, “I don’t love” as he acknowledges the truth behind the Priest’s suggestion that his womanizing exploits are mere moments of ‘passion and lust’. Rather than seeking a lasting, meaningful relationship, Henry prefers the acceptance of his ‘war brother[s]’ and their philandering ways. It is Frederic’s lack of direction and his experiences of war which see him seemingly closed off to the prospect of love at the beginning of the novel. BODY PARAGRAPH Topic Sentence (Argument established) Explanation Supporting Evidence Link to topic sentence