10 Spectacular Landscapes In South America
A Farewell to Arms (Edward Hemingway) follows an established narrative structure. Each plot element – expositional, rising action climax, falling and resolutional action – is contained in one book. This clear division allows the reader to map out the plot.
The first volume of the novel contains the exposition. Lieutenant Frederic Henry served as an American in Italy’s Navy during World War I. He is a military officer who also works as a driver of ambulances. Catherine Barkley also appears in the book. Catherine is an English nurse who volunteered in World War I. In this chapter of the book, the characters fight in Italy against the Austro Hungarian forces to stop them from joining with the Germans at the Western Front. Hemingway highlights the setting of the war in the beginning, suggesting the importance of Italy and war. Frederic was injured and taken to Milan’s hospital for x rays and treatment at the conclusion of this novel. The shift in setting is what sets up the plot.
The rising action is the focus of the second book. Henry is currently in Milan hospital where he’s told to wait 6 months before surgery. A second doctor, who agreed to speed up his recovery process, was consulted by Henry. Catherine is moved to Milan while the process continues. The story becomes more important and serious as the relationship between the two characters grows. They spend many nights together. Henry was ready to return to his field after several months. Catherine, one night, admits to being three months pregant, but insists he doesn’t need to worry. Henry returns to the frontlines on a return train at the end of this book.
The third volume contains the climax. Henry’s first order of duty upon returning to his post is to travel to Bainsizza, where he will be given command of an ambulance fleet. Henry spends his day with friends and then leaves for Bainsizza in the morning to take command of a fleet of ambulances. The war is escalating, and there’s a rumor that Austrians are breaking through the Italians’ lines. Henry’s orders are to let the injured soldiers go and use the ambulances as a means of transporting hospital equipment. Henry decides they need to take alternative routes to reach the fallback position after spending many hours stuck in a stationary caravan. As the ambulances near their destination, they hear explosions from the main route. Henry spots German soldiers. They all run, even though one soldier was shot. Henry and others sleep in a shed. On the way back to Tagliamento the following day, Henry is grabbed by a policeman as he crosses the river. He jumps into the river to escape and hops onto a moving train. The book ends with him realizing that he’ll never return to the military or see any of his comrades. But he finds comfort in picturing the future, when he is reunited with Catherine.
The story is told in the book four. Henry is dropped in Milan. There he gets dressed in civilian clothing, and discovers Catherine in Stresa. The barman at Henry’s Stresa hotel offers to assist Henry in finding Catherine. He finds her and heads to her hotel. Catherine is at Miss Ferguson’s. Catherine, Henry and Miss Ferguson have a dinner together before Catherine leaves for Henry’s hotel. The couple decides to flee into Switzerland. After a few days, he is arrested the next morning. Henry borrows the boat from his friend and leaves. Catherine and Henry row for a night until they reach Switzerland. They are then released after they conceal their true identities. They decide they will continue on to Monetreux. This book ends any major, lingering events and hints at the end of the story.
The story concludes with tragedy. Catherine and Henry spent many happy months in Switzerland together. Catherine’s due-date approaches and they begin to move towards the hospital. Catherine’s labor is painful and she needs gas in the early morning. The doctor eventually decides that the cesarean is needed. Henry does not wish to accompany Catherine into the operation room. Catherine has told Henry beforehand that she fears she will die. Catherine gives birth to a boy who Henry is not interested in. Henry learns from a nurse that his baby was stillborn. He then contemplates death’s inevitable finality when he returns to Catherine. Catherine bleeds the next day and she fears that she is going to die. She loses consciousness and hemorrhages uncontrollably until her death. Henry goes to her room and says goodbye. He finds it hard to be comforted by this. As he returns to his hotel, the story ends.
A Farewell to Arms is structured in a similar way: exposition followed by rising action, climax and falling action. Each part is its own novel, enhancing and clarifying the story.
