Although it is one of the most famous war novels ever written, "A Farewell to Arms" does not glorify war or exhibit traditional portraits of war heroes. How does Hemingway present the concept of heroism? Which characters can be considered heroes? Discuss the novel's attitude towards the war and whether the novel can be considered anti-war. Also, love plays a large role in the novel. Explore love's affect on the characters' perceptions of war and the affect that the war has on love in the novel.
Hemingway offers almost no background information about the narrator, Frederic Henry, or much information about any of the other other characters in "A Farewell to Arms." Discuss how you think the exclusion of such information contributes to the progression of the overall story. Why do you think Hemingway left out such information? Rather than include biographical information, explain other ways that Hemingway develops the characters and the story itself.
The characters in the novel seek refuge from the devastation of the war, even if it is only temporary. Discuss how the characters find comfort in a time of warfare. What does the ending of the novel imply about these comforts? Can the chaos of the war be symbolic of the characters' inner turmoil and emotions? Discuss the idea of the physical and emotional claustrophobia, or entrapment, and how it affects the characters in the novel.
Feminist critics have argued that the female characters in Hemingway's novels were either one-dimensional personifications of male fantasies or "femmes fatales." They have criticized the female characters as lacking complexity and have suggested that perhaps Hemingway was a misogynist. Catherine is a static character throughout the novel. Discuss Catherine's character throughout the novel. Does she fit one of the two categories outlined by critics? Give examples from the novel to explain your position.