Ernest Hemingway's A Farewell To Arms
Hemingway's "A Farewell to Arms": Henry - A Man of Action, Self-Dicipline, and
One Who Maintains Grace Under Pressure
It is the nature of the beast within that fuels our inclination towards conflict and destruction. During the surreal powers of war, life hangs in the balance setting the stage for an elite group of individuals who triumphantly rise above the rest amidst the chaos. As Ernest Hemingway illustrates in his book, Farewell to Arms, the character of Frederick Henry; an ambulance driver, is put to the ultimate test during the madness and atrocity of WWI. His experiences at the front pose a challenge only a Hemingway hero can affront successfully. As the epitome of a code hero, Frederick is a man of action,
self-discipline, …show more content…
The possession of self-discipline is another vital element that forms the makeup of the code hero and is the only value that will truly serve a man.
Although Henry is an avid drinker, he never becomes drunk to the point that he does not know what he is doing or can control his behavior and actions. "He poured two glasses and we touched them, first fingers extended. The grappa was very strong. ......We drank the second grappa, Rinaldi put away the bottle and we went down the stairs" (Hemingway, 17). Presented with the invitation, Henry gladly accepted a few drinks an acted like a dignified gentlemen even though in the immediate presence of alcohol. A man of strength and character will not let substance control and influence his actions for only the weak are dependent and rely upon such means to live out each day. Frederick's self-discipline not only shines in his drinking habits, but shows in all instances especially when the challenge to maintain it is at its greatest. After he plunged into the lake escaping the battle police, Henry boarded a train and entered a wine shop in the town of Milan where the train stopped. The owner of this …show more content…
Here you are all right."....."I am in no trouble, Frederick said. But I value the address of a friend...."(Hemingway,
228). Even though he was a wanted criminal, Henry did not accept the help that would have provided a way to avoid being arrested even if for only a short time.
As a man on the run, Frederick would be unlikely to repose trust in the first stranger who accosts him after his disersion. He uses his self-control to resist his overwhelming urges to accept the help as not to risk jeopardizing his future with Catherine who was the one and only love of his life. He has an uncanny ability to weigh and analyze the choices he makes without getting emotionall y involved. Frederick is sentimentally detached from the rest of the world which enables him to deal with intensely climatic moments with such aplomb and ease.
When being transported to his room in the American hospital, Henry graciously acknowledged the stretcher bearers even in such grueling pain. "There is money in my pocket. I said to the porter. The porter took out the money. The two stretcher bearers stood beside the bed holding their caps. Give them 5 lire a piece and five lire for yourself" (Hemingway, 81). Rewarding the staff
One Who Maintains Grace Under Pressure
It is the nature of the beast within that fuels our inclination towards conflict and destruction. During the surreal powers of war, life hangs in the balance setting the stage for an elite group of individuals who triumphantly rise above the rest amidst the chaos. As Ernest Hemingway illustrates in his book, Farewell to Arms, the character of Frederick Henry; an ambulance driver, is put to the ultimate test during the madness and atrocity of WWI. His experiences at the front pose a challenge only a Hemingway hero can affront successfully. As the epitome of a code hero, Frederick is a man of action,
self-discipline, …show more content…
The possession of self-discipline is another vital element that forms the makeup of the code hero and is the only value that will truly serve a man.
Although Henry is an avid drinker, he never becomes drunk to the point that he does not know what he is doing or can control his behavior and actions. "He poured two glasses and we touched them, first fingers extended. The grappa was very strong. ......We drank the second grappa, Rinaldi put away the bottle and we went down the stairs" (Hemingway, 17). Presented with the invitation, Henry gladly accepted a few drinks an acted like a dignified gentlemen even though in the immediate presence of alcohol. A man of strength and character will not let substance control and influence his actions for only the weak are dependent and rely upon such means to live out each day. Frederick's self-discipline not only shines in his drinking habits, but shows in all instances especially when the challenge to maintain it is at its greatest. After he plunged into the lake escaping the battle police, Henry boarded a train and entered a wine shop in the town of Milan where the train stopped. The owner of this …show more content…
Here you are all right."....."I am in no trouble, Frederick said. But I value the address of a friend...."(Hemingway,
228). Even though he was a wanted criminal, Henry did not accept the help that would have provided a way to avoid being arrested even if for only a short time.
As a man on the run, Frederick would be unlikely to repose trust in the first stranger who accosts him after his disersion. He uses his self-control to resist his overwhelming urges to accept the help as not to risk jeopardizing his future with Catherine who was the one and only love of his life. He has an uncanny ability to weigh and analyze the choices he makes without getting emotionall y involved. Frederick is sentimentally detached from the rest of the world which enables him to deal with intensely climatic moments with such aplomb and ease.
When being transported to his room in the American hospital, Henry graciously acknowledged the stretcher bearers even in such grueling pain. "There is money in my pocket. I said to the porter. The porter took out the money. The two stretcher bearers stood beside the bed holding their caps. Give them 5 lire a piece and five lire for yourself" (Hemingway, 81). Rewarding the staff