《美国文学作品》（英文版）Analysis of A Farewell to Arms

Friction Appreciation A Farewel to arms L. About the whole Text 1. Summary:(全文) One of hemingway 's war and love stories, this novel takes place in Italy during World War I and is tied closely to the authors own experience as an American Ambulance Driver for the italian Army. The story opens during a ull(暂停) in the action and the reader meets a group of men who work with the wounded during battle. In the course of waiting or action, the protagonist, Henry, meets and courts(求爱) an English nurse stationed in Italy The core of the tale is the evolution(进展发 h of the love of these two in the face of increasing military involvement, including an engagement in which Henry is wounded and

Friction Appreciation A Farewell to Arms I. About the Whole Text 1. Summary: （全文） One of Hemingway's war and love stories, this novel takes place in Italy during World War I and is tied closely to the author's own experience as an American Ambulance Driver for the Italian Army. The story opens during a lull （暂停）in the action and the reader meets a group of men who work with the wounded during battle. In the course of waiting for action, the protagonist, Henry, meets and courts（求爱） an English nurse stationed in Italy. The core of the tale is the evolution （进展 发 展）of the love of these two in the face of increasing military involvement, including an engagement in which Henry is wounded and

after his return to the front, an italian retreat from which he barely escapes with his life. Ultimately, he and Catherine, his English love, defect and enter Switzerland to await the birth of their child. Baby and mother both die and henry is left alone his future left by the author unplotted 2. Summary and Analysis of Each Section chapters 1-5 The novel opens with a description of artillery-laden troops marching slowly through the rains of late summer and autumn one of these men is the American Frederic Henry, an ambulance driver. Henry is currently in the Italian army, at the Italian front during World War I The main action of these first few chapters begins when Henry returns from winter leave in early spring. His roommate, Rinaldi, is enamored(倾心的,迷住的) of a british nurse, Catherine Barkley, at a nearby British hospital

after his return to the front, an Italian retreat from which he barely escapes with his life. Ultimately, he and Catherine, his English love, defect and enter Switzerland to await the birth of their child. Baby and mother both die and Henry is left alone, his future left by the author unplotted. 2. Summary and Analysis of Each Section chapters 1 - 5 The novel opens with a description of artillery-laden troops marching slowly through the rains of late summer and autumn. One of these men is the American Frederic Henry, an ambulance driver. Henry is currently in the Italian army, at the Italian front during World War I. The main action of these first few chapters begins when Henry returns from winter leave in early spring. His roommate, Rinaldi, is enamored（倾心的，迷住的） of a British nurse, Catherine Barkley, at a nearby British hospital

Rinaldi convinces Henry to visit the hospital with him and Henry finds himself attracted to Catherine. A few days later, Henry comes back to see Catherine and the two kiss Explanation: The opening chapter is an important one, introducing many major motifs to be developed later. In the chapter, war and death are juxtaposed against nature and life. There are trees, but they are coated in dust and the leaves fall off early because of it. The thick, green leaves not found on the trees are instead used by the troops to conceal guns in the trucks. The clear and swift-moving river water is juxtaposed against images of rain and mud as well as slow-moving troops. The image of fertility is compared to soldiers carrying artillery in front of their bellies The situation here is bleak. The chapter sets up a tired mood, with troops trudging incessantly through the mud. It is also soured by irony: " At the start of the winter came the permanent rain and with the rain came the cholera, but it was

Rinaldi convinces Henry to visit the hospital with him and Henry finds himself attracted to Catherine. A few days later, Henry comes back to see Catherine and the two kiss. Explanation: The opening chapter is an important one, introducing many major motifs to be developed later. In the chapter, war and death are juxtaposed against nature and life. There are trees, but they are coated in dust and the leaves fall off early because of it. The thick, green leaves not found on the trees are instead used by the troops to conceal guns in the trucks. The clear and swift-moving river water is juxtaposed against images of rain and mud as well as slow-moving troops. The image of fertility is compared to soldiers carrying artillery in front of their bellies. The situation here is bleak. The chapter sets up a tired mood, with troops trudging incessantly through the mud. It is also soured by irony: "At the start of the winter came the permanent rain and with the rain came the cholera. But it was

checked and in the end only seven thousand died of it in the army. The description of a permanent rain"is intended to create a feeling of helplessness. The " only" in the second sentence conveys a sense of the wars scope The tiredness of the war is mirrored by the troops themselves. The narrator begins the second chapter with the comment that the next year there were many victories. That is all. It is blunt and detached, as if the victories no longer matter and nobody knows what they are fighting for. Later, a shell explodes in front of Henry and instead of reacting emotionally, he simply describes the smell of the explosion one of "blasted clay and stone and freshly shattered flint The narrator of the story and the protagonist are two different people, as can be seen in the soliloquy on pages 13 and 14. The protagonist is Henry Frederick during the events narrated in the book, but the narrator is clearly an older Henry, one after the events. The soliloquy (3 白,自言自语) itself revolves around an"it"that

checked and in the end only seven thousand died of it in the army." The description of a "permanent rain" is intended to create a feeling of helplessness. The "only" in the second sentence conveys a sense of the war's scope. The tiredness of the war is mirrored by the troops themselves. The narrator begins the second chapter with the comment that "the next year there were many victories." That is all. It is blunt and detached, as if the victories no longer matter and nobody knows what they are fighting for. Later, a shell explodes in front of Henry and instead of reacting emotionally, he simply describes the smell of the explosion: one of "blasted clay and stone and freshly shattered flint." The narrator of the story and the protagonist are two different people, as can be seen in the soliloquy on pages 13 and 14. The protagonist is Henry Frederick during the events narrated in the book, but the narrator is clearly an older Henry, one after the events. The soliloquy（独 白，自言自语）itself revolves around an "it" that

separates the narrator from the protagonist: it is something which "I did not know then, although I learned it later. It is something the priest " had always known"and which Henry " was always able to forget. What henry refers to is still debated among scholars, but the most prominent(卓越的,显著的) opinion seems to be that the it refers to a questioning of faith The argument is that over the course of the novel Henry has developed a tragic vision of sorts-a knowledge that the world is indifferent (i.e. there is no God)and that life is ultimately meaningless. A few scholars have argued that the it"is the opposite-Henry has come to the realization that he has a soul and that death is not final. The interpretation of the novel presented here will favor the former, which is more consistent with the trends that run through Hemingway's other novels Whichever the case, at this point in the novel it is worth noting that there is already a seed of existentialism in Henry. When returning from leave, he notes that nothing seems to have

separates the narrator from the protagonist: it is something which "I did not know then, although I learned it later." It is something the priest "had always known" and which Henry "was always able to forget." What Henry refers to is still debated among scholars, but the most prominent（卓越的，显著的） opinion seems to be that the "it" refers to a questioning of faith. The argument is that over the course of the novel Henry has developed a tragic vision of sorts-a knowledge that the world is indifferent (i.e. there is no God) and that life is ultimately meaningless. A few scholars have argued that the "it" is the opposite-Henry has come to the realization that he has a soul and that death is not final. The interpretation of the novel presented here will favor the former, which is more consistent with the trends that run through Hemingway's other novels. Whichever the case, at this point in the novel it is worth noting that there is already a seed of existentialism in Henry. When returning from leave, he notes that nothing seems to have

changed and evidently it did not matter whether i was there or not The comment hints at a view that there may be no significance to living at all. At another time, Henry pronounces that " we did not do the things we wanted to do we never did such things. Here he argues that life itself prevents a person from doing what he wishes Many things can be discovered about Catherine in her first conversation with Henry She tells that she had a fiance she was engaged to for eight years, at which point he went into the war and died: he was killed and that was the end of it. Henry's " I don't know which follows her tale expresses his uncertainty regarding the existence of an after life contrast. Catherine is sure there is none That' s the end of it. she assures him Catherine expresses regret that she didn't marry him because she was afraid of the consequences, but now realizes the meaninglessness of the consequences. Life, to

changed and "evidently it did not matter whether I was there or not." The comment hints at a view that there may be no significance to living at all. At another time, Henry pronounces that "we did not do the things we wanted to do; we never did such things." Here he argues that life itself prevents a person from doing what he wishes. Many things can be discovered about Catherine in her first conversation with Henry. She tells that she had a fiancé she was engaged to for eight years, at which point he went into the war and died: "he was killed and that was the end of it." Henry's "I don't know" which follows her tale expresses his uncertainty regarding the existence of an afterlife. In contrast, Catherine is sure there is none: "That's the end of it," she assures him. Catherine expresses regret that she didn't marry him because she was afraid of the consequences, but now realizes the meaninglessness of the consequences. Life, to

her, does what it wishes to do, and her living is the struggle against circumstance Part Two chapters 6-9 Summary: The relationship between Henry and Catharine becomes more defined as Henry begins to pay her regular visits. However, the relationship is one devoid(全无的,缺乏的) of love-to Henry, it is as if they are playing a game. Catherine recognizes this as well, and finally declares that it is a"rotten game we play, putting an end to the false lovemaking Meanwhile, the offensive is about to resume and Fredrick Henry is dispatched(派遣) to the front to drive the wounded back to hospitals. At the front, Henry and his fellow ambulance drivers sit in a dugout(防空壕), eating pasta (意大利面食) and waiting for the offensive to begin. One of the drivers, Passini, speaks out against the war, saying that War is not won by victory... One side must stop fighting. Why don't we stop fighting? As they talk, shells

her, does what it wishes to do, and her living is the struggle against circumstance. Part Two chapters 6 - 9 Summary: The relationship between Henry and Catharine becomes more defined as Henry begins to pay her regular visits. However, the relationship is one devoid（全无的，缺乏的） of love-to Henry, it is as if they are playing a game. Catherine recognizes this as well, and finally declares that it is a "rotten game we play," putting an end to the false lovemaking. Meanwhile, the offensive is about to resume, and Fredrick Henry is dispatched（派遣） to the front to drive the wounded back to hospitals. At the front, Henry and his fellow ambulance drivers sit in a dugout（防空壕）, eating pasta （意大利面食） and waiting for the offensive to begin. One of the drivers, Passini, speaks out against the war, saying that "War is not won by victory. . . . One side must stop fighting. Why don't we stop fighting?" As they talk, shells

shatter over their heads until finally a trench mortar(迫击炮) shell blasts open the dugout Passini's leg is blown off and he dies; both of Henry's legs are severely wounded Explanation: Frederic Henry, the protagonist, falls short of being any sort of hero because he doesn't care about what is happening When he makes love to Catherine without loving her, he mentions that "I didn't care what I was getting into"and Nobody had mentioned what the stakes were This lack of concern diminishes(使变小)him in the readers mind. With respect to the war itself, he notes, rather naively, that I knew I would not be killed. not in this war. t did not have anything to do with me. To Henry, the world is a just one, and that because he cares little about the war the war will ignore him Henry' s belief in a well-ordered universe is challenged when the dugout is blasted open and he is severely injured. In chapter 9, the reader is handed an indifferent universe on a

shatter over their heads until finally a trench mortar（迫击炮） shell blasts open the dugout. Passini's leg is blown off and he dies; both of Henry's legs are severely wounded. Explanation: Frederic Henry, the protagonist, falls short of being any sort of hero because he doesn't care about what is happening. When he makes love to Catherine without loving her, he mentions that "I didn't care what I was getting into" and "Nobody had mentioned what the stakes were." This lack of concern diminishes（使变小） him in the reader's mind. With respect to the war itself, he notes, rather naively, that "I knew I would not be killed. Not in this war. It did not have anything to do with me." To Henry, the world is a just one, and that because he cares little about the war the war will ignore him. Henry's belief in a well-ordered universe is challenged when the dugout is blasted open and he is severely injured. In chapter 9, the reader is handed an indifferent universe on a

platter(大浅盘). It is absolutely absurd that a bunch of men should be blown apart while they are eating pasta. Hemingway makes the absurdity clear by y spending ng more time describing the act of eating than the exploding shells overhead. It is worthwhile to note, however, that although he is injured Henry does not quite accept this notion of an indifferent universe. Instead of accepting his fate at the hands of this universe. he cries out to God for mercy Passini is the man who most vehemently protests the war, and it is no coincidence that he is the only character to so far die from it Passini wishes to end the war by quitting it, noting that if the Italians stop fighting, the Austrians" wil get tired and go away Essentially, he has decided not to fight in the war anymore, and there is an implication that he dies because he has quit the struggle Hemingway sets up the war as a metaphor for ife: it is crude and indifferent to the beings who

platter（大浅盘）. It is absolutely absurd that a bunch of men should be blown apart while they are eating pasta. Hemingway makes the absurdity clear by spending more time describing the act of eating than the exploding shells overhead. It is worthwhile to note, however, that although he is injured, Henry does not quite accept this notion of an indifferent universe. Instead of accepting his fate at the hands of this universe, he cries out to God for mercy. Passini is the man who most vehemently protests the war, and it is no coincidence that he is the only character to so far die from it. Passini wishes to end the war by quitting it, noting that if the Italians stop fighting, the Austrians "will get tired and go away." Essentially, he has decided not to fight in the war anymore, and there is an implication that he dies because he has quit the struggle. Hemingway sets up the war as a metaphor for life: it is crude and indifferent to the beings who

participate in it. However, all the participants cando is struggle against what is set upon them. Passini, because he refuses to take part in that absurdity, is killed A final image of futility(无用,无效) In opposing the war is found in the old man with the hernia (疝气,脱肠) lying by the side of the road.The man has done everything possible to get out of the army, but his own efforts (as well as Henry's assistance) are futile, and he dragged back Part 3 chapters10·12 Summary: At a field hospital, Henry is visited first by Rinaldi, then by the priest. Rinaldi tells Henry that he will get a medal of bravery from the Italians, and jokes about developments. The priest, on the other hand, has more serious matters to talk about. He tries to explain to Henry how There are people who would make war.. and] there are other people who would

participate in it. However, all the participants can do is struggle against what is set upon them. Passini, because he refuses to take part in that absurdity, is killed. A final image of futility（无用，无效）in opposing the war is found in the old man with the hernia （疝气，脱肠）lying by the side of the road. The man has done everything possible to get out of the army, but his own efforts (as well as Henry's assistance) are futile, and he is dragged back. Part 3 chapters 10 - 12 Summary: At a field hospital, Henry is visited first by Rinaldi, then by the priest. Rinaldi tells Henry that he will get a medal of bravery from the Italians, and jokes about developments. The priest, on the other hand, has more serious matters to talk about. He tries to explain to Henry how "There are people who would make war . . . [and] there are other people who would