On_the_Analysis_of_a_Farewell_to_Arms

ABSTRACT: This paper makes a thematic study on A Farewell to Arms based on the analysis of the war and the love. The war strongly shows us the cruelty and indifference of the universe, while the love shows us the human’s struggle against the indifferent universe. The exploration of this subject is made in three steps with war and love as its two constant clues. The first part of the paper elaborates on the indifference of the universe. The indifference and meaninglessness of the universe is first and foremost demonstrated in the indifference of the war, and the tragic end of their love intensifies the feeling of indifference, since love is their weapon to fight the indifference with and the refuge to escape the indifference. The second part dwells on their struggle against this indifference and meaninglessness. Although Henry felt deeply sick of the war, yet he didn’t give up his search for meaning, and in his love with Catherine, he finally found the true meaning of life: he, himself is a crucial source of meaning, and life is a struggle against that meaninglessness. Thus, in the struggle against the indifference of the war, they found love; in the struggle against the cruel war, they found love; in the struggle to preserve that love, but finally lost it, they found the indifference of the universe. The paper ends with the conclusion that both Henry and Catherine are true Hemingway Code Heroes: hold this meaninglessness in mind while simultaneously creating meaning and order through struggle, and that is life.