Catherine Henry's Relationship

Ernest Hemingway’s novel, A Farwell to Arms, exploits Catherine’s situation as a means to draw parallels to the unfortunate setting of the novel better known as the war. Throughout the novel, Hemingway takes a liking to the mounting relationship between Catherine and Frederic Henry, the protagonists of the novel. A Farwell to Arms shadows Henry’s journey to escape from the war as well as appease Catherine, who eventually transforms into the love he so desires. Desperate to preserve his relationship with Catherine, Henry strives to escape the war in order to devote time to his beloved. As with any human, without the gift of companionship, one withers away into one’s own thoughts, not aware of the tragedies deteriorating around them. Ernest Hemingway accurately contrasts Catherine’s ill-fated situation with the …show more content…
Catherine’s unfortunate predicament conveyed parallels to the war. As a result of sleeping with Henry, Catherine came in a position to conceive a child. Frightened from the unexpected arrival, she seeks Henry’s comfort, despite the lack of his appearance due to the war demands. Henry referred to himself as agnostic, regarding God futile. However, the impending death of Catherine obliges him to bargain with God in order to save his beloved. Throughout the novel, Catherine reveals to be the stronger of the two, occasionally reassuring Henry by reaffirming their love. Despite everything, love stands as her religion until she dies. Due to the difficulties during Catherine’s birth, the nurses applied gas to aid Catherine in breathing. With Catherine placing the mask on, Hemingway alludes to the struggles of war. He indirectly refers to the strain the soldiers must endure while trying