A. Fredrick Henry, the main protagonist and narrator, is an American who served in the Italian Army during the midst of the First Great War as a Lieutenant Ambulance driver. He decided to join the Italian Army because he was studying in Italy when the war began. Henry loves every aspect of Italian society, culture, food, wine, and architecture. Thus, he had a cause to join the struggle. Also, America had yet to join the war. Henry is a man of dignity and cares little about medals and honors. However, he lies with impunity and believes things of love, honor, and religion are just complex games or are useless. He is a white man with very dark hair and has a “craving” for alcohol.
Henry is the most significant character in the entire novel …show more content…
They couldn’t stop it. I went into the room and stayed with Catherine until she died” (Hemingway 296). After deserting the Italian Army, Henry convinces Catherine to run away to Switzerland with him. Emilio, the bartender, helps Henry flee from the Military Police. After living comfortably for a few months with Mr. Guttingen and his wife in the village of Montreu, Switzerland, Catherine goes into labor. Soon problems arise and Catherine needs a C-section. However, the baby dies during the operation but Henry does not tell Catherine. Soon Catherine suffers numerous hemorrhages and Henry lies by her side until she dies in the hospital during the evening. This was the most compelling scene because I felt very depressed and sad for Henry. Henry gave up his career, honor, and wealth to be with Catherine. Yet, she died before they were even married. To make things worse, their child also died. I felt immeasurable grief afterwards. Not to mention the writing was just so bare, “I went into the room and stayed with Catherine until she died” (Hemingway 296). He did not cry or scream like most people would have done. This simple text with almost no emotion made me feel like Henry just lost everything he ever had and had no future left. The fact that it was at end of the novel also made a lasting impact on my view of the book. Thus, because this scene made me feel immense grief and sorrow, I believe that the most compelling scene in the novel was when Catherine dies. This scene made me recognize that even if you give everything you have for a cause, you might end up losing even
Henry is the most significant character in the entire novel …show more content…
They couldn’t stop it. I went into the room and stayed with Catherine until she died” (Hemingway 296). After deserting the Italian Army, Henry convinces Catherine to run away to Switzerland with him. Emilio, the bartender, helps Henry flee from the Military Police. After living comfortably for a few months with Mr. Guttingen and his wife in the village of Montreu, Switzerland, Catherine goes into labor. Soon problems arise and Catherine needs a C-section. However, the baby dies during the operation but Henry does not tell Catherine. Soon Catherine suffers numerous hemorrhages and Henry lies by her side until she dies in the hospital during the evening. This was the most compelling scene because I felt very depressed and sad for Henry. Henry gave up his career, honor, and wealth to be with Catherine. Yet, she died before they were even married. To make things worse, their child also died. I felt immeasurable grief afterwards. Not to mention the writing was just so bare, “I went into the room and stayed with Catherine until she died” (Hemingway 296). He did not cry or scream like most people would have done. This simple text with almost no emotion made me feel like Henry just lost everything he ever had and had no future left. The fact that it was at end of the novel also made a lasting impact on my view of the book. Thus, because this scene made me feel immense grief and sorrow, I believe that the most compelling scene in the novel was when Catherine dies. This scene made me recognize that even if you give everything you have for a cause, you might end up losing even