A fAREwell to arms study guide
A Farewell to Arms
Study Guide Questions
*Answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper as completely as possible. Keep these questions/answers to use as notes in order to prepare for discussions, quizzes, and tests.
BOOK I
1. What tone is set in the opening chapters? Why is this unexpected?
The scene that Hemingway creates is peaceful and serene. However, the tone is depressing as fall turns into winter with rains and cholera plaguing the army. This is unexpected because the novel is about a war and we do not see any action.
2. What are your impressions of the narrator so far?
He seems rugged yet sensitive to the beauty of nature, articulate, inured to the dying that is part of war, probably a reliable reporter of external events, but pretty close-lipped about his own feelings.
3. How/Why did the narrator get involved in WWI? Why is he in the Italian army? (1)
He signed up to drive an ambulance in the Italian army, he tells the head nurse he was in Italy and spoke Italian.
4. What does the narrator’s initial attitude toward the war seem to be? (1)
He seems objective and detached.
5. Describe the relationship between the Italian officers and the priest. What are their views concerning the Catholic Church? (2)
The priest is young and sincere, and the others tease him about his celibacy. The others poke fun at the church also.
6. Describe the priest’s native village of Abruzzi. (2)
Abruzzi is green with hills and a castle yet more guns and new hospitals and Brits on the street.( 10)
7. Where does Henry go on his leave instead of Abruzzi? What does he do? Why does he apologize to the priest? (3)
Milan, Florence, Rome etc. He visits women. He apologizes to the priest for not visiting his hometown and family.
8. Who is Catherine Barkley? How does the lieutenant meet her?
A British V.A.D.- something like a nurse’s aid. She has been seeing Rinaldi and Rinaldi drags Lt. Henry to meet his
Study Guide Questions
*Answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper as completely as possible. Keep these questions/answers to use as notes in order to prepare for discussions, quizzes, and tests.
BOOK I
1. What tone is set in the opening chapters? Why is this unexpected?
The scene that Hemingway creates is peaceful and serene. However, the tone is depressing as fall turns into winter with rains and cholera plaguing the army. This is unexpected because the novel is about a war and we do not see any action.
2. What are your impressions of the narrator so far?
He seems rugged yet sensitive to the beauty of nature, articulate, inured to the dying that is part of war, probably a reliable reporter of external events, but pretty close-lipped about his own feelings.
3. How/Why did the narrator get involved in WWI? Why is he in the Italian army? (1)
He signed up to drive an ambulance in the Italian army, he tells the head nurse he was in Italy and spoke Italian.
4. What does the narrator’s initial attitude toward the war seem to be? (1)
He seems objective and detached.
5. Describe the relationship between the Italian officers and the priest. What are their views concerning the Catholic Church? (2)
The priest is young and sincere, and the others tease him about his celibacy. The others poke fun at the church also.
6. Describe the priest’s native village of Abruzzi. (2)
Abruzzi is green with hills and a castle yet more guns and new hospitals and Brits on the street.( 10)
7. Where does Henry go on his leave instead of Abruzzi? What does he do? Why does he apologize to the priest? (3)
Milan, Florence, Rome etc. He visits women. He apologizes to the priest for not visiting his hometown and family.
8. Who is Catherine Barkley? How does the lieutenant meet her?
A British V.A.D.- something like a nurse’s aid. She has been seeing Rinaldi and Rinaldi drags Lt. Henry to meet his