A Farewell to Arms: Book 5

Quote 1

"She was unconscious all the time, and it did not take her very long to die" (331).

Catherine just gave birth; however, the baby dies. Frederick stays by her side as the doctor is sewing her wounds. This quote shows that death does not have to be dramatic. Even though it was painful for Frederic to see his loved one die, it was good that Catherine was freed from her agony quickly. It would've been more painful for both of them if the process dragged on.

Quote 2

"But after I got them to leave and shut the door and turn off the light it wasn't any good. It was like saying good-by to a statue. After a while I went out and left the hospital and walked back to the hotel in the rain" (332).

In the end, death will triumph everything, leaving ones in isolation. After Catherine dies, Frederick wants to be alone with Catherine. But he finds out that this is not comforting because it was like "saying good-by to a statue". All the life has been drained out of her and she is now just a body. Frederick is heartbroken and this scene shows how much he loved her because he didn't love her for her body, he loved her for her. We continually see this repetition of rain symbolizing as isolation and loneliness. Catherine has told Frederick, many times, that she had a phobia of the rain but it would be okay if he was with her. Catherine has also said, "...sometimes I see me dead in it" (126). She is referring that she will die alone and in a sense she does because Frederick doesn't die with her. However, Frederick stayed by her side the entire time she was dying and his love remained pure. Catherine kind of foreshadows what happens to Frederick when she says, "And sometimes I see you dead in it" (126). The reader does not know about Frederick's death but the reader does know that, "[Frederick] walked back to the hotel in the rain". Frederick is not dead but he is in solitude without Catherine. There is a parallel between the rain and death because before, the rain tore the couple apart but death is a more powerful factor. Death is unavoidable and part of nature, just like rain. But in the end, death is the one who leaves Frederick in the rain alone.

A Farewell to Arms: Book 4

Quote 1

"It is hard to leave the country but in no way impossible" (238). 

Frederick has gotten off the train in Milan and heads towards a wine shop. There, he has a conversation with the proprietor. The proprietor mentions that if Frederick is in trouble, he could stay there and that it is hard to leave the country but not entirely impossible to leave. This gives a glimmer of hope that no matter how difficult leaving the country is, it is still doable. This gives a parallel to real life where you have to believe that no matter how the odds are against you, you always have that chance, no matter how slim, to succeed.

Quote 2

“It’s cheerful rain” (278).

Isolation is an illusion brought upon a time of chaos. In the beginning of the book, Catherine displayed her fear of the rain, “I’m afraid of the rain” (125). The rain symbolizes isolation as it separates Catherine and Frederick during the war. When Frederick has to go back to the front, leaving Catherine all alone, the rain is present in the background “The retreat was orderly, wet, and sullen” (188). However, when Catherine and Frederick leave the war zone, there is happy rain. This cruel rain has lost its power of tearing them apart outside of the war. Catherine and Frederick believe that they will be together and the fear of solitude has vanished. 

A Farewell to Arms: Book 3

Quote 1

"I am very tired of this war. If I was away, I do not believe I would come back" (165). 

Frederick was talking to the major and the major stated that he was exhausted of the war and if he could leave, he would never come back. Throughout the book, Frederick discusses the war with many people. The major says an "elephant in the room" thought. The major says out loud the possibility of running away. This puts Frederick and the major at the same level because later on, Frederic does plan to run away from the army with Catherine. 

Quote 2

"'I'm sorry he makes you so uncomfortable' I was asleep all the time, she said. You've been talking in your sleep" (197). 


In this passage, Ernest Hemingway portrays the idea that true love has the potential to flourish in a time of chaos. The interactions between Frederick and Catherine has been set in a time of war. The actual disorderly army plans, "...nothing had been done about organizing them for defense" (183) shows the chaos the war has put people in. Frederick and Catherine manages to fine each other during this disarrayed event. Their love grows as Frederick believes he can as psychic connection with Catherine. Even in Frederick's sleep, he worries about the baby disrupting Catherine's sleep. This shows the strengthening of their love not only physically, but also emotionally and mentally.  

A Farewell to Arms: Book 2

Quote 1

"When I saw her I was in love with her" (91).

After Frederick gets shot in Milan, he was rushed to the American hospital. Miss Barkley goes to visit him after not seeing him for a long time. When Frederick sees Miss Barkley again, he states how beautiful she is and says he was in love with her. Throughout the story, Miss Barkley asks Frederick multiple times if he  loves her and Frederick just lies and says yes. This is the first time he tells the reader he loves her on his own.

Quote 2

"And you'll always love me, won't you?" (125).

Love will be a companion at a time of loneliness. Catherine asks Frederick if he will ever stop loving her and he replies that he will always love her. Catherine asks him "...the rain won't make any difference?" (125). In this sense, rain symbolizes an inevitable thing that will separate them and leave them in solitude. Rain is a naturally occurring thing that surpasses the human capabilities. Catherine thinks this rain will tear things apart, leaving them divided. Catherine states her fear of the cold rain to Frederick: "Because I'm afraid of the rain" (125) and asks him to stay with her. Catherine hints for a companion in the rain when she says she's not scared of the rain if she is with Frederick. Catherine shows her fear of dying alone when she says "...sometimes I see me dead in it" (126). She says the rain can take anyone because "And sometimes I see you dead in it" (126) to Frederick. In order to solve her fear of the rain and isolation, she seeks Frederick's love as a companion that will be with her through the storm. If he's love is not strong enough to comfort her, it will be a distraction from the rain. But if Frederick's love is as strong as they portray it to be, then it will truly rid her fear of dying alone and isolation in general. 
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