Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Just a Thought
This is of course meant to be a less formal post...... but is it just me or is 'A Farewell to Arms' falling apart a little bit? Or perhaps, it's just Frederic Henry. I'dve thought it'dve been that Catherine was the one to fall to pieces without him, and granted, we've not heard from Catherine, but it seems almost as if Frederic's bought into her 'no separate me' story. Maybe it's just the drudgery of war without their love story - an interesting and valid point Hemingway could be making, but it really seems as if things are falling apart a little bit. Most of us aren't huge Catherine fans, but I have sympathy for her and I'm almost missing her part in the novel at the moment. It's as if Frederic's gone back to his apathy, but minus the independence he possessed before Catherine.
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I too actually find myself missing Catherine. I guess it is like the saying "you don't know what you've got till its gone." While I am reading, I actually find myself thinking of Catherine, wondering how much time has passed, since that is never really mentioned, and if she has had her kid yet. If she has given birth, where did she give birth, since she was unsure and rather nonchalant about the entire baby thing. Maybe Hemingway wants the reader to feel like Frederic, since it was mention a few times that he thought of her.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I think Catherine's a foil to the war. Even though she's hectic and indecisive, she's lively. In my mind, she keeps the plot going. As much as I can appreciate Hemingway's style, the subject of war is one that I'm not particularly avid about. Love; on the other hand, always captivates me. Catherine's appearances in the novel trigger a more interesting atmosphere. I think the lack of vibrance without her is due to Hemingway intentionally forcing you to miss Catherine. He wants you to feel the loneliness of the war-stricken man, so he's made the story even gloomier without her.
ReplyDeletePoor Freddie he just can't win. But that's pretty much the main idea of this book.
DeleteYea, believe it or not, I miss Catherine too. She just like gave us a quick getaway from the dreary environment of war. Though even her moments were never exciting and rather blahh, they still entertain me. Though I"m often laughing at her and not with her, I still appreciate her presence. She gives you breathing room and allows you to stay sane. I agree with all and think she has been wiped away on purpose to imitate the real feeling of war, which is horrible!! Come back Catherine!!
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