A Farewell to Arms – A Love Story Essay Example

Frederick, who had once perceived it as organized and disciplined.

Frederick's desertion from the disorderly Italian army marks the turning point in the novel, A Farewell to Arms. This act signifies that he no longer wishes to be a part of such chaos. As Frederick disengages from the war, he discovers that Catherine is the source of order and meaning in his life. He realizes that he doesn't require anything else to give purpose to his existence. Ultimately, Frederick comes to understand that he cannot rely on others or external factors because they will eventually depart or let him down.

He understands that he must find his own order and values to confront the world. Catherine Barkley is an English volunteer nurse in Italy who is seen as knowledgeable about love and loss due to her previous experience of losing a loved one in the war. Unlike Frederick, we do not have as much insight into Catherine's inner thoughts and emotions. The story is narrated from Frederick's perspective, and our understanding of Catherine comes primarily from their conversations and Frederick's interpretations of her behavior.

Catherine has already learned from the death of her fiance that she cannot depend on someone else for her own life. While her love for Frederick is central to her existence, she understands that she cannot rely on him to provide stability and structure. If she had placed all her order in Frederick, she would have been too afraid of losing her own stability if he died in the war. Hemingway explores the theme of seeking order in a chaotic world throughout the novel, specifically through Frederick's personal quest amidst the chaos of World

War I.

Catherine has discovered her own inner strength, which has guided her in life. Frederick needs to understand this as well. By being with Catherine, Frederick gradually discovers his own inner strength. His relationship with Catherine inspires him to abandon his former indulgences in prostitutes and alcohol. He recognizes a sense of stability in their relationship and realizes that the war he was involved in was too chaotic, leading him to desert the army. Together, Frederick and Catherine create a secluded life for themselves, separated from the outside world.

Frederick believes his life is now in order and his values are in perspective, but he still feels discontented. He constantly reassures himself that he has a "fine life." However, he has not achieved the same level as Catherine, who is able to find happiness in their love without relying on it entirely for comfort and support. Frederick still needs to discover that within himself. Throughout the novel, Frederick depends on Catherine to bring order into his life. It is only at the end, when Catherine dies giving birth to their stillborn child, that Frederick realizes he cannot rely on any one person or thing for discipline and order. Hemingway captures Frederick's moment of enlightenment in the final paragraph of the novel, when he sees Catherine's lifeless body for the first and last time.

Frederick's reaction can be described as comparing it to bidding farewell to a statue. It dawns on Frederick that Catherine merely represented the order and resilience in his life. He comprehends that the strength needed to confront life has to originate from within him, and he alone has the ability to navigate his own

existence. It is incumbent upon him to learn self-reliance. With this realization, Frederick manages to carry on with his life independently. "Eventually, he departed the hospital, making his way back to the hotel under the rain." He does not mourn or believe that his own existence has ended together with Catherine's passing; instead, he is capable of moving forward, drawing upon his newfound inner strength, and facing the world on his own.

This novel effectively conveys Hemingway's message, leading the reader to contemplate their own life and the institutions they rely on. Personally, I found value in this novel as it taught me, like Frederick, the importance of confronting my own life independently. The strength to overcome challenges cannot be sourced externally, as the self-discovered strength within me is unmatched in its permanence.