Answer

The Theme of War in A Farewell to Arms

Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms is filled with the ambivalence of war and the totality of the destruction that can result from conflict. The novel validates the hardships as well as the horror of war as demonstrated in the description of people who die as well as how they die from the war.

As the title of Hemingway’s novel suggests, A Farewell to Arms tactfully and masterfully provides a demonstration of how conflicts and resulting wars result in violence and senseless brutality. Although a significant number of characters in the film abhor war, some of them are ambivalent about conflict. For instance, whereas Henry presents himself as a largely cool and detached person, his violent outburst and subsequent shooting of an engineer who refused to help him free a car from mud is a big shock (Hemingway 43). Notably, a majority of Henry’s soldiers are violent and vengeful. However, the murder of the engineer by Henry underscores the disorderliness of war. The aim of Hemenway’s use of these characters and their description is to emphasize the cruelty and senselessness of war because it does not recognize or acknowledge true love. From the novel, the readers can appreciate what takes place in a war and how conflict can turn good people into murders.

In conclusion, Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms emphasizes the cruelty and horror of conflict and war. Through the character of Henry and his soldiers, the readers are presented with the consequences of war to both the armed people as well as the civilians. The novel demonstrates how war can make good men like Henry begin to crumble and become senseless and cruel creatures.