Post by Peer — Amanda Ndinya

One example is Catherine’s constant inquiries about whether she meets Henry’s expectations: “I’m good. Aren’t I good? You don’t want any other girls, do you?” (Catherine, 92). The repetition of the word good shows the urgency that Catherine has as she is desperate for Henry’s approval. In this case, the effect of Catherine’s trauma is evident as her sense of urgency suggests her need to be loved and needed by someone to regain what she once lost. This can be paralleled with the experience of some of the soldiers as they are also desperate to be good enough in their divisions. For instance, Ettore hopes to be so good that he becomes a captain in the American army because his desperation stems from the need to be validated by his comrades at war. In this way, Hemingway can make the love affair between Henry and Catherine central to the plot because it complements the larger theme of patriotism, and valiance evident throughout the story.

Another way to look at this affair as central to the novel is through the eyes of its main Character. Henry, becoming more troubled throughout the novel also develops his feelings for Catherine. However, it seems that outside of the war, he has no purpose for himself. Hemingway portrays this theme further when he describes Henry’s musings as he recovers in the hospital from being injured through the war: “ I wanted to be really married but Catherine said that if we were they would send her away…” (Henry, 99). In this line, Henry’s matter of fact tone shows that he does not see any better path for himself besides love and war, but he focuses on these things, nonetheless. Furthermore, Hemingway has not highlighted another characteristic of Henry besides his wartime persona, so it is fitting that his love affair during the war is the focus of the novel.