A Farewell to Arms Discussion Questions

Hemingway refers to rain and snow many times in the course of the novel. With each mention, the weather conditions take on a clear and unique symbolism. The symbols are contrasting: while rain symbolizes death and tragedy, snow symbolizes hope and life. At the beginning, a plaque of cholera breaks out because of the rain and causes death and destruction to the troops on the Italian front. Post that, the war ceases for a brief period of time during the onset of winter and the heavy snows. While the Italians are retreating along with Henry, it rains heavily. Throughout the retreat, troops are killed. In Switzerland, Henry and Catherine find hope in the snow-capped mountains. Catherine mentions to Henry that she sometimes dreams of both of them dead in the rain. At the end of the novel, when Catherine dies and Henry comes to know of their stillborn child, he walks out of the hospital in the rain.

How does Hemingway use the motif “Love as religion” in A Farewell to Arms?

Many characters, in the course of the novel, draw a parallel between love and religion. During the intimate conversations between the priest and Henry, the priest explains to Henry that Henry will one day feel the same love for a human being as the priest feels for God. Catherine also once tells Henry that her religion is love as she does not believe in God. The wise Count Greffi confesses his lack of faith in God and reminds Henry, “… you are in love. Do not forget that it is a religious feeling.” Catherine refuses a priest as she is dying at the end of the novel and asks Henry to be with her instead. This again establishes how love, for Catherine, is her religion. Her belief in love as the most spiritual and divine force that she knows of is underscored here. This motif urges the readers to reflect upon the futility and meaninglessness of war and urges them to question the existence of God. At the same time, the novel also supports the value of love, which, even if it for a short while, elevates human beings to their best selves. priest and Henry, the priest explains to Henry that Henry will one day feel the same love for a human being as the priest feels for God. Catherine also once tells Henry that her religion is love as she does not believe in God. The wise Count Greffi confesses his lack of faith in God and reminds Henry, “… you are in love. Do not forget that it is a religious feeling.” Catherine refuses a priest as she is dying at the end of the novel and asks Henry to be with her instead. This again establishes how love, for Catherine, is her religion. Her belief in love as the most spiritual and divine force that she knows of is underscored here. This motif urges the readers to reflect upon the futility and meaninglessness of war and urges them to question the existence of God. At the same time, the novel also supports the value of love, which, even if it for a short while, elevates human beings to their best selves.

Why does Hemingway refer to games so often in A Farewell to Arms?

In the novel, Hemingway repeatedly refers to games (bridge, chess, cards, billiards, racing). This serves two purposes. Firstly, the constant references to games are meant to establish the point that life is like a game of chance. Secondly, the games serve as a metaphor of the “game” Catherine and Henry play to evade from the reality of war, including their fears, violence, loss, and grief.

How is Catherine’s hair a poignant symbol in A Farewell to Arms?

Catherine’s hair, though not a recurring symbol, is a poignant one. In the early days of their relationship, when Catherine and Henry lie in bed, she allows her hair to tumble down and lets it cascade around his head. This reminds Henry of being inside a tent or behind a waterfall, a place of bliss and safety. Thus, the hair becomes symbolic of the lovers’ isolation from the world. Even with a war waging on, the two of them manage to find a moment’s bliss, believing themselves protected by something as delicate as hair. However, when they are in Switzerland, actually away from the brutality of the war, they learn the harsh lesson that love is as fragile and ephemeral as hair when confronted with the harshness of reality, as foreshadowed when Catherine wishes to cut off her hair.

How does Hemingway’s writing style affect his representation of war in the novel?

Hemingway’s writing style is sparse and lends a sense of urgency to the text, forcing the readers to live the scenes, thus adding to the horror that war can inflict. He uses adjectives sparingly and the sentences, often long, provide a sense of continuation across chapters. His narrative uses facts and figures, lacks flowery language, and there exists a sense of detachment while portraying the war, all of which make the novel realistic, based on real emotions—the futility of war, the inevitability of death, the irrationality of killings, and the loss of love.