A Farewell To Arms Research Paper

Everyone is familiar with the saying, “Opposites attract.” However, attraction alone does not always make a relationship successful. In the novel, A Farewell to Arms, Ernest Hemingway proves this theory to be true by focusing on two young adults, who start a relationship. Henry and Catherine, two people who could not be any more opposite from each other, live in Italy during WWI. Henry is selfish, whereas Catherine is insecure and more likely to succumb to Henry’s demands. Because of the extreme opposition in both personas and the lack of love, lack of time, and lack of common sense, Henry and Catherine’s relationship becomes a negative burden and also causes one another to succumb to destructive decisions; decisions affecting their lives until
Henry begins the relationship lying to Catherine by telling her he loves her. As the two kiss, Henry thinks to himself, “I knew I did not love Catherine Barkley nor had any idea of loving her. This was a game, like bridge…” (30). This clearly demonstrates the selfish quality he possesses. Later on in his thoughts, he compares Catherine to stakes in a game he ‘plays’ for. Henry does not consider the feelings of Catherine, for all he cares about is pursuing his sexual desires with her. Catherine confronts Henry for lying to her by calling his actions a rotten game, yet he somewhat convinces her he is not. Throughout the book, Catherine inevitably begins to fall in love with Henry’s façade instead of his true self. However, because of Henry’s lie, the unstableness and negativity will affect their relationship down the
When Henry is out on post for war, he admits to himself several times about being distracted by Catherine. This is because before Henry left, Catherine reveals to him she is three months pregnant. She is ecstatic about the situation whereas Henry sits in silence, when confronted with the news. He later shows his support and happiness for Catherine, but his first reaction is what makes the readers believe that he is not happy. Although it is believed Henry genuinely loves Catherine, it still does not take away from the fact Henry will always put himself before others. During the time of Henry’s capture, he thinks of being in Catherine’s arms, and then realizes he wants nothing else to do with the war. The war becomes a pain in the neck and he refuses to stay in it any longer. Henry’s decision making and common sense is being based off of his emotions; as a result, Henry makes a caustic and selfish decision to escape the war illegally, and flee the country with Catherine. Little does he know in the end Catherine and their baby will die during the child birth process, which will ultimately leave him all alone in