For Whom The Bell Tolls Analysis

In Ernest Hemingway’s For Whom the Bell Tolls, he gives a story of the stress and strife during a war between fascists groups. The drama and emotion every character displays shows their own individuality and their importance to accomplishing the ultimate goal. Women, during this time, played a major role in easing the men’s emotions. Before one can compare the role of Maria to Pilar, they must first know what the role of a typical spanish women during the spanish civil war. Many spanish women not only stayed home to help the infrastructure of their country, but also went into the armed forces. Almost four hundred thousand women served in and with the armed forces. This number exceeded the total male troop strength in nineteen thirty nine.
She was very sensitive to everyone around her and acted more as an emotional supporter rather than contributing to the cause of the war. Maria supports Robert Jordan, emotionally, by having an affair with him. Initially, Robert Jordan says he has no time for women and that he can not balance love and work. Golz has a conversation with Robert about this topic, “Look, do you have many girls one the other side of the lines?” “No, there is no time for girls.” “I do not agree. The more irregular the service, the more irregular te life.” (7-8). Golz tries to explain to Robert that a man needs a women to get away from war every once in awhile. Maria, throughout time, changes Robert’s view on this and he becomes involved with Maria. The only comparison Maria has with a typical spanish women during the spanish civil war is that she was somewhat on the front lines. Although, she never was involved in actual battle, she traveled with the men keeping them company. Maria’s significance may not seem that important but she played an important role in Robert’s life throughout the
Despite Pablo being the head of the group name wise, Pilar was the driving force behind what they did and the motivation throughout the long journey. Pilar shows wisdom and leadership throughout the book. Here is an example, “I do not know how it is in other countries, and no one cares more for the pleasure of drinking than I do, but in Spain drunkenness, when produced by other elements than wine, is a thing of great ugliness and the people do things that they would not have done.” (116) Here Pilar is convicting the group of their constant drunkenness and embarrassment of their country. She shows strong characteristics of leadership and fearlessness, which every leader needs. The typical spanish women during the spanish civil war is depicted as being strong willed and never giving up. Pilar compares well with them showing all the strong qualities of a forceful women during this