美国文学A Farewell to Arms.ppt

A Farewell to Arms --- Ernest Hemingway A semi-autobiographical novel A first-person account of American Frederic Henry The title is taken from a poem by 16th-century English dramatist George Peele. Its publication cemented his stature as a modern American writer. 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century. It was first adapted to film in 1932 Contents Plot summary Character analysis Theme Symbol Comments Plot summary The novel is divided into five books. In the first book, Rinaldi introduces Henry to Catherine Barkley; Henry attempts to seduce her, and their relationship begins. While on the Italian front, Henry is wounded in the knee by a mortar shell and sent to a hospital in Milan. The second book shows the growth of Henry and Catherines relationship as they spend time together in Milan over the summer. Henry falls in love with Catherine and, by the time he is healed, Catherine is three months pregnant. In the third book, Henry returns to his unit, but not long afterwards the Austro-Hungarians break through the Italian lines in the Battle of Caporetto, and the Italians retreat. Henry kills an engineering sergeant for insubordination. After falling behind and catching up again, Henry is taken to a place by the battle police, where officers are being interrogated and executed for the treachery that supposedly led to the Italian defeat. However, after seeing and hearing that everyone interrogated is killed, Henry escapes by jumping into a river. In the fourth book, Catherine and Henry reunite and flee to Switzerland in a rowboat. In the final book, Henry and Catherine live a quiet life in the mountains until she goes into labor. After a long and painful birth, their son is stillborn. Catherine begins to hemorrhage and soon dies, leaving Henry to return to their hotel in the rain. Character analysis Frederic Henry Catherine Barkley Rinaldi The Priest Helen Ferguson Helen Ferguson?-? A nurse’s aide, a dear friend of C