In chapter three Henry is portrayed as a kind man. When his roommate, Rinaldi, spots an English nurse, Henry loans him 50 lire so Rinaldi can seem like a wealthy man. Even though Henry was not a religious man he was still nice and friendly to the priest. In chapter 5 Henry and Catherine were chatting about Catherine’s job, they agree to “drop the war” as a subject of conversation, Henry tries to put his arm around her. She resists but, in the end, lets him. He comes off as pushy yet confident. In chapters 5-7 He claims that the war does “not have anything to do with me,” and he feels no real commitment to it. When a soldier admits to tossing away his trust in order to worsen his hernia and evade service Henry exhibits none of the integrity that the reader might expect of the young man’s commanding officer. Henry helps him plot his way into the hospital. This shows Henrys behavior becomes irresponsible.
Henry, in chapter 8, explains how the other officers are disrespectful to Italy because they think Italy should withdraw from the war. Although Henry agrees he is disappointed in the men for talking about it. Henry comes off as rather stoic. While Henry listen to the men discuss victory and defeat seems ignorant rather than passionate. Henry appears to disagree. It was the sense of loss, fear, and anger that fuels the Italians’ arguments, despite whether he lives or dies. As the story continues it seems he’s not as strong when he finds himself deeply in love with an English nurse, Catherine. Catherine is the same English nurse that Rinaldi liked. He becomes so miserable being apart from Catherine, while at war; he abandons his men and escapes to safety in Switzerland with Catherine. His action leaves the readers believing his character is loving and romantic for leaving to be with Catherine. He expresses grace when under pressure, but still great at his job. When he was injured and had to shoot a deserting engineer officer he fulfills a “Hemingway hero” He’s a very cool-headed and unselfish man. He makes his "separate peace" when he decides that he no longer has any obligation to the army and that he wants and belongs with his true love, Catherine.
As the story comes to an end Lieutenant Frederic Henry is a different man than he was at the opening of A Farewell to Arms. Henry finally rest from trying to catch up to the same maturity level as Catherine, his poor wife, whom dies shortly after labor along with stillborn baby. Although he struggled he did end up being as wise and mature as Catherine. When Henrys character is first introduced he’s involved with alcohol and carless activities he changes dramatically throughout the story. His entire life he was getting stronger every day and he was learning from his mistakes and others mistakes to become the wise man he ended up to be. He now understands the world and his place in it, as he walks into the rain lonely and heartbroken.
by
jessross790 (student)
