The Negative Effects Of A Farewell To Arms

World War I has left a monumental impact, severely affecting and disrupting many lives in various countries around the world. In the aftermath, the Great War influenced social, political and economical consequences, including countless of innocents deaths, psychological disorders, the great depression, poverty and costly damages as well as reparations in each of the nations involved. In the novel A Farewell to Arms, the author Ernest Hemingway presents the First World War as meaningless, gruesome and destructive, thus causing detrimental impacts on many individuals physically, morally as well as mentally. The author further maintains these negative impacts by portraying the horrid realities of the war through numerous conflicts and circumstances.

As Henry begins to fall in love with Catherine, he realizes that he not only feels safe but he also has a sense of purpose when he spends time with her. Their love distracts as well as allows them to temporarily escape the realities of war and its turmoil. Both individuals struggle to keep their relationship a secret, illustrating the hardships they are forced to undergo in order to be together. Additionally, Henry decides to abandon the war as he returns to find Catherine after evading the Italian army. He chooses to completely focus on his love and affection for her, thus establishing the priest’s statement on religion and love when he says, “[w]hen you love you wish to do things for. You wish to sacrifice for. You wish to serve…You cannot know about it unless you have it” (pg 62). This shows the devotion and sacrifice, which Henry is willing to make in order to be with Catherine. However, Hemingway represents the destructiveness of war when Henry loses both Catherine and the baby towards the end of the novel, demonstrating that war is not only cruel but also

This is shown when Henry is wounded from a mortar shell and Rinaldi informs him that he will receive a medal, “[y]ou will be decorated…[b]ecause you are gravely wounded. They say if you can prove you did any heroic act you can get the silver. Otherwise it will be the bronze” (pg 55). Henry is hence awarded a medal of bravery, despite having done nothing heroic during the battle. Hemingway illustrates the corruption in the war as it takes advantage of its men by rewarding as well as honouring them with medals regardless of whether their acts are heroic or not. Moreover, the war influences individuals to change their moral values which is illustrated when an Italian-American solider, Ettore Moretti boasts and flaunts about his medals, war wounds as well as the promotion that he is about to obtain. Ettore further encourages Henry to join the American army, since it will compensate him much more than the Italian army. Moretti’s moral values are shown in his reasoning for joining the American army since he would rather serve in an army that pays him more for his services. Henry’s own experiences of the Great War changes his perspectives and attitudes, leaving him to feel lonely, disgusted as well as disconnected for participating in a warfare that destroys and kills countless of innocent people.

Consequently, Ernest Hemingway portrays the First World War as meaningless, gruesome