The Destruction of Human Happinessthe War in A Farewell to Arms.doc

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1、The Destruction of Human Happiness by theWar in A Farewell to Arms论永别了武器中战争对人类幸福的毁灭ContentsAbstract (in Chinese) IAbstract (in English) .III. Introduction .11.1. An introduction to the author .1 1.2. An introduction to the novel .2II. A summary of the story 32.1. The brief analysis of the major char

2、acters 32.1.1. Frederic Henry .32.1.2. Catherine Barkley .3 2.2. The development of the relationship between Henry and Catherine .4III. The ruin of love and faith by the war 53.1. The relationship between love and pain .53.1.1. Separations between Henry and Catherine .53.1.2. Causes leading to Cathe

3、rines death .8 3.2. The grim reality of war 93.2.1. The change of Henrys belief towards the war.93.2.2. The disastrous consequence of the First World War 12IV. Conclusion 14Notes .19Bibliography .20摘要本论文集中分析了永别了，武器一书中的主要人物，弗雷德里克亨利和凯瑟琳巴克莱。通过叙述他们彼此间关系的发展以及分析战争对他们的爱情、信念的改变，着力表现出战争是如何毁灭人类幸福生活的。同时，为了更好地支

4、持这一主题，本论文分成以下四部分进行说明。第一部分是对作者以及这部小说的介绍。第二部分概述了主要人物以及他们之间关系的发展。第三部分重点分析了战争是如何毁灭了人们的幸福。第四部分是结论，对全文进行了总结。关键词: 战争；爱；信念；毁灭AbstractThis paper concentrates on an analysis of the main characters in the novel, Frederic Henry and Catherine Barkley. Through describing the development of their relationship and

5、analyzing the change of their love and faith in the war, this paper represents how the war destroyed the happy life of the human being.Meanwhile, in order to support this theme, this paper is divided into four parts. The first part gives an introduction to both the author and the novel. The second p

6、art summarizes the main characters and the development of their relationship. The third part analyzes how the war destroyed the peoples happiness in detail. The forth part is the conclusion, summing up the story.Key words: war; love; faith; ruinI. Introduction1.1. An introduction to the authorErnest

7、 Miller Hemingway was born on July 21, 1899, in Illinois, USA. Hemingway was the first son and the second child of his family. His father was a country doctor. Hemingway chose hunting fishing and camping in the woods and lakes as his hobbies like his father. These early experiences closely contacted

8、 with nature brought him enough passion for outdoor adventure and for living in the remote or isolated areas. During his school career, he was good at both academic and athletic aspects. He displayed particular talent in English classes in his high school. After high school, he decided to write for

9、a newspaper rather than into a college. Although he worked there for only half year, he created his own writing style at that time. After Hemingway left his job, he joined the United States Army to see action in World War I. During the war, he really realized the ruthlessness and brutalities of war

10、for the first time. As a witness, he ever experienced Spanish Civil War and World War II. According to his own real thoughts and feelings towards the war, he published many works against war. Meanwhile, his characters were always filled with firm will and fearless courage. The Old Man and the Sea, w

11、hich is one of his most famous novels, eventually made him win the Nobel Prize in Literature 1954. Unfortunately, Hemingway suffered physical and psychological illness in his later years. On the morning of July 2, 1961, he committed suicide because of his manic depression.1.2. An introduction to the

12、 novelDuring World War I, Hemingway joined the Red Cross Ambulance Corps. As an ambulance driver in the Italian Front, he once was wounded for delivering supplies to soldiers. He met and fell in love with an American nurse during his treatment in a hospital. But their relationship ended at his retur

13、n to the United States and then the nurse involved with another man. This affair left an indelible mark in his heart. According to his real experience, he finished one of his most well-known novels, A Farewell to Arms. As an anti-war novel, Hemingway described a young man first, Frederic Henry. Ther

14、e were two threads around Henry running through the whole novel. One was the change of his attitude towards the war. Another one was the three separations of Henry and Barkley in the whole novel. Indeed, this novel also represented the change of Hemingways philosophy of life. The theme of this novel

15、 that Hemingway wanted to reflect was that it was impossible to ensure justice and peace in war. Instead, the universe was indifferent (sometimes even hostile) to mans plight. Hemingway really wanted people realize that war was only a futile struggle of man against man. There were no winners in a wa

16、r, and there was no reasoning behind the lives which are taken. A Farewell to Arms was a symbol of Hemingways heroism. His heroism was that men should realize what the truth was when men have to struggle with death injustice and evil of war.II.A summary of the story2.1. The brief analysis of the maj

17、or characters2.1.1. Frederic HenryFrederic Henry was an American ambulance driver and a lieutenant in the Italian Army. He was also one of the protagonists of this novel. The focus of the novel was about his steady love with Catherine Barkley and his continuous confusion towards the war. Henry was d

18、escribed initially as a friendly young man who found himself nothing to do with the war. But these feelings finally made him realize the hostile nature of the war when he fell in love with Catherine Barkley. Meanwhile, Hemingway characterized this role to represent his own philosophy and values in t

19、he specific period.2.1.2. Catherine BarkleyCatherine Barkley was an English nurse who served at the Italian front. She was another protagonist in this novel. Hemingway characterized primarily her beauty, courage and disregard for social convention. Catherine clearly knew what the nature of the war w

20、as. She understood that there were only death awaiting people. There was no dignity no glory and no justice in the war. Although she felt the danger around her, she still devoted her love totally to Henry.2.2. The development of the relationship between Henry and CatherineBefore their first meeting,

21、 Henry was an American ambulance driver in the Italian Front. He always believed that this was a war with justice and glory. Even if he knew that the fight at the front was very harsh, he still believed that the war would be ended soon. A few days later, when he met Catherine Barkley first time, he

22、found himself attracted deeply by her. And then he often went to see her and their relationship had been advanced. Nevertheless, their relationship looked as if a love game at that moment. They just wanted to seek something interesting from one another. Catherine decided to end this false relationsh

23、ip immediately. Meanwhile, Henry had to return to the front. At the front, Henrys legs were severely wounded. When he met Catherine again, he was waiting for an operation in a hospital. Henry confessed his love for Catherine again. They were being nearly together every day. Henry spent most of his d

24、ays with Catherine. They enjoyed that time until Henry got a letter from the Army. He was ordered to return as soon as possible if he healed. Since Henry left Catherine again, he desired that the war could be ended soon and he could come back to meet Catherine at once. But he found that their troops

25、 were depressed by the continuous fight and they couldnt even stop the march of Germans and Austrians. The worst thing for him was his attitude towards the war had been gradually changed. When he decided to avoid the war for his love and faith, he met Catherine at a hotel far from the front. In orde

26、r not to be arrested by the Italian officers, they decided to leave Italy. When they arrived in Switzerland, they met a little difficulty. But they finally solved the entire problem before they started their own new lives. Everything would be fine. They really enjoyed the peaceful life in the small

27、town. People around them were really kind and friendly. The only obstacle for them was Catherines pregnancy. In the hospital, Catherine was in labor for hours and she suffered pain bravely initially. Unfortunately, she had one hemorrhage later. Catherine passed away and their first baby died as well

28、. “Alone, Henry walked through the rain to the hotel.”1III.The ruin of love and faith by the war3.1. The relationship between love and pain3.1.1. Separations between Henry and CatherineThere are three separations running through this novel. Their first separation took place when Catherine realized t

29、hat they were playing a love game and she decided to stop this relationship immediately. In that period, whether Henry or Catherine was, they actually did not find what they really want. They just hoped to find something interesting from each other. Their confusion and disappointment towards the war

30、 made them immerse in this love game. Although they attracted deeply by one another, they still fear of commitment for their future. Because they could imagine what tomorrow would be. At the same time, the fight at Italian front also required Henry to return the army at once. Therefore, Henry return

31、ed to his army and Catherine continued her work in the hospital.Their second separation took place after Henrys recovery of his wound. During his treatment, Catherine spent so much time and energy to care for him. Meanwhile they affirmed the true love between them. This relationship made them change

32、 a lot in many ways. Especially for Henry, he gradually knew what true love was and could completely give his true love to Catherine. He became a responsible and a loyal person. But due to his duty to the army and even the fight, he was forced to return his troop. The cruelty and bloodlines of war m

33、ade him cherish the days they were together. The front fight seemed harsh and soldiers of the troops were depressed by the continuous defeat. Therefore, they decided to leave their own role in this war and meet again in a place far from war.Their last separation took place at the end of this story.

34、It definitely described Catherines death as a symbol of the ultimate separation. When they escaped to Switzerland, they still faced many problems. They even need to conflict with the shadow of war physically and psychologically. Though they ever had a period of happiness in the small town with those

35、 friendly people, they could not save themselves in their lives. They failed though they tried. Catherine proved that she would be a brave and outstanding mother. Unfortunately, she couldnt save their first child and then she passed away because of her hemorrhage.The three separations took place in

36、different period of this novel. But all of them were because of the war. As a soldier of the front army, Henry had to return to his troop once more. When he realized that the unique way made him out of the shadow of the war was with Catherine, he decided to leave his troop and be with his lover fore

37、ver. As for Catherine, she found a good companion in his life and made the man change a lot than before. Thanks to her, Henry began to understand why the true love could save a man and why a man could devote himself for a woman he really loves. Although they strived and struggled with the fate for t

38、heir future, they failed. From Italy to Switzerland, from the front to home, from their body to their heart, they could not even choose a peaceful life out of the war. War made them realize the cruelty of the fact and helplessness of people in the war.3.1.2. Causes leading to Catherines deathCatheri

39、ne Barkleys death was a tragedy. As a matter of fact, the reason of the tragedy could be divided into two parts. One was her personal causes. Another one was the social causes. Personally, Catherine was not only a brave but a rebellious woman. She was eager to pursue a liberal and easy life with Hen

40、ry. Even they did something that let them in dilemma in their position of the society and all of her friends were against her decision, Catherine still firmly loved Henry and she would go anywhere he went. When she was pregnant, she decided to give birth to the baby. Because of her insistence, she q

41、uit her job and escaped to another country with Henry. In spite of the fact they had a great time, they still could not avoid the unfortunate consequence. As a woman who had open-minded and rebellious spirit towards conventional society values, Catherine should be considered as a heroine in this sto

42、ry. She finally passed away, though she always struggled with the outside surrounding for her true love. Socially, thousands of men were required to fight in the war. Men like Henry had to give up many valuable things. Catherine had to let his fianc return to the front. Even if they chose to escape

43、from the army, they still couldnt find a safe place in the real world or their hearts. In the real world, despite worrying about the arresting from the Italian officers, Catherine and Henry had to choose those remote places to live. When Catherine had a baby and then she needed a better care conditi

44、on, they couldnt go to see doctors of big hospitals. Although they finally chose a small town in Switzerland as their arrival place, they still could not prepare enough for their first child. At that moment, the only thing they could do was to pray. In their hearts, actually they always could not fi

45、nd a proper way to forget the war and to avoid the shadow of the war. When Catherine saw the falling rain, she even forecasted their fate. Rain in Catherines heart represented dark despair and even death. She was afraid of seeing rain all the time. She always told Henry something about their ultimat

46、e fate in this war. As the rain fell in the roof, she saw it as the symbol of destruction of human beings happiness. As for them, the present pleasure and happiness was temporary. To pursue a long and stable peaceful life in a war was an impossible thing. Therefore, the tragedy of Catherines death r

47、esulted from her personal philosophy and the current social background.3.2. The grim reality of war3.2.1. The change of Henrys belief towards the warWhen war slowly displayed its cruelty and indifference to Henry, his attitude towards war started to change gradually. As a young solider from America,

48、 he was inexperienced and unaware what the real war was. He initially thought that war would be ended soon. He even considered that nobody would be hurt in war. Even if his duty was to assist those wounded people and victims, he still believed that war would win by victory until he saw his solider die and experience thousands dead. In the war period, that was only a small number compared with the to