A Farewell To Arms Women

Hemingway?s view of women is a source of constant controversy, and Catherine Barkley is at the center of debate. The novel A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway depicts Catherine Barkley as an unfair portrayal of a woman. Her constant nurturing of Henry, and selfless undertaking of the burden of pregnancy is indicative of a misogynist gone awry. Hemingway?s hatred towards women leads him to portray women as being dependant, obsessed, and naïve?serving as slaves to their men in every aspect.

After the death of her previous husband, Catherine Barkley was left a life of perpetual loneliness. Upon meeting Henry, Catherine quickly became overly dependant on him to fill the emptiness in her life. Days after meeting him she asks him if he loves her. Catherine knows quite well that it is nearly impossible for this to be true in such a short amount of time, but when Henry tells her he loves her, she becomes overwhelmed with happiness. Catherine is aware that Henry is lying to her, but because she is so dependant on him, she pretends that what he says is valid.

Subsequent to Henry?s injuries after a mortar shell was detonated, Catherine
Once Henry receives orders that he must return to the front and leave Milan, he arranges one last rendezvous for him and Catherine in a plush hotel suite. ?The room was furnished in red plush. There were many mirrors, two chairs and a large bed with a satin coverlet. A door that led to the bathroom? (152). Catherine was not happy with the situation by any means. ?I?ve never felt like a whore before,? Catherine explains. Henry replies, ?You?re not a whore.? and Catherine answers, ?I know it, darling. But it isn?t nice to feel like one? (152). Eventually, Catherine comes around and says, ?Come over, please. I?m a good girl again? (152). This event portrays Catherine as a prostitute of sorts, a sexual slave to