Theme Of Rain In A Farewell To Arms

Johnson 1

Johan Johnson

Mrs. Alexopoulos

English III AP – Period 7

September 2, 2014 A Life of Misery and Sorrow People should be able to accept pain and suffering but however, they need to challenge themselves in order to lead a successful triumphant life. In the novel, A Farewell to Arms, by Ernest Hemingway, the author uses symbols of nature, most significantly rain to portray melancholy and hopelessness of a certain individual. As time progresses, the existence of rain turns Frederic into a paranoid, insecure man as he begins to shift back to a reality of war and useless violence. The theme that grief turns an individual from being utterly happy into a sick, lonely person who switches their perspective from fantasy

Rain distinctly exemplifies in being a powerful symbol of the inescapable fragmentation of hope in life. Catherine, the wife of an Italian solider, frequently mentions that “[she is] afraid of the rain because […] [she] often sees [her]self dead” (Hemingway 6). She claims that the rain has an inclination to not only destroy her life but also to disintegrate the close relationship of these newly wed couples. Technically, nature cannot be terminated by any human, as Ernest Hemingway notifies the reader that destiny is also a force which cannot be ceased. This brings up a philosophy that there are some things in the world that a person cannot change or control, as death is not an option for Catherine. Of course, Catherine is clearly frightened when rain is present or if its near her existence. For example, as the couple begin to walk with a trace of happiness, Catherine immediately interrupts the conversation and mentions that “it is very hard to [fall] in love” with Henry, which entirely lowers his self-esteem ( Hemingway 126). Their relationship often dies or weakens when rain is present; however when the weather changes,

Sadly, their intimate connection separates and their love starts to break into shattered pieces when Catherine unfortunately dies. In later chapter, Fredrick goes to the priest in order to seek advice; however he realizes “that it had stop[ped] raining [and] there was a mist” covered in the sky (Hemingway 177). For a while, the nonattendance of rain display a sign of hope and aspiration, yet the mist represents Henry to be doubtful and uncertain of himself. Throughout the book, the mixture of weather symbolically affects Henry in a negative way in which confusion and chaos dominants his whole life. Even throughout all his problems, “when the sun c[o]me[s] out once” in his life, he is overly ecstatic and begins to enjoy the moment with a smile under his chin. Many times, hardships and struggles are foreshadowed through the actuality of nature. When Aymo, the ambulance drive, is slaughtered, the reader should realize that the “sun [is] down” representing the loss of hope and encirclement of grief (Hemingway 186). In this case, the rain definitely corresponds to death and sudden tragedy of his close and a very sincere friend. After this saddened situation, Fredrick