In Ernest Hemingway's modernistic novel A Farewell to Arms, there are several instances where the narrator Henry acts impulsively rather than rationally. In the intensity of the moments he shares with Catherine, he often agrees with everything she says or replies with whatever he thinks will make her happiest, rather than a rational and truthful answer. Similarly, in the heat of battle, Henry's decisions are askew from what they would normally be in a calm situation. The theme of irrationality under pressurized situations is prevalent in Book One of A Farewell to Arms.
One occasion in which Henry acts irrationally is when he tells Catherine he loves her just three days after having met her for the first time. Henry even says to himself "I knew I did not love Catherine Barkley nor had any idea of loving her. This was a game, like bridge, in which you said things instead of playing cards. Like bridge you had to pretend you were playing for money or playing for some stakes" (30-31). In this quote, Henry reveals that he not only doesn't love Catherine, but he has no plans to try and love her. But, because he wants a female companion other than the prostitutes at the brothel, and he was under pressure to answer her quickly to be convincing, he tells her he loves her to make her stay. He does not think of the long-term implications that could be caused by professing his love, and is therefore irrational. Luckily for him, Catherine knows that he is lying, and says "you don't have to pretend to love me" (31). Like him, she is seeking the solace of companionship during a time of war, and they both happen to fit each other's descriptions.
Another time Henry acts irresponsibly because of an intense situation is when he is confronted with the straggling soldier with the "rupture." The man admits he purposely lost his truss to get away from the war, and if Henry followed the rules and made a rational decision, he would turn him in. In this strained situation however, Henry tells him to "get out and fall down by the road and get a bump on your head and I'll pick you up on your way back and take you to a hospital," (35) saving the man from shame and possibly harsh consequences. Even though he has no personal ties with the man, and to keep order in the military behavior such as his can not be condoned, Henry irrationally decides to give him an easy way out.
Almost everyone will admit to acting impulsively at some point. For example, when I'm in a high pressure situation I say just about whatever it takes to get out of it- even if it means agreeing with something I wouldn't ordinarily. For instance, talking to my boss is always a tense ordeal. Because of this, in the past I have agreed to work really inconvenient hours when if I had politely declined them everything would have been fine. If I was a rational decision maker under stressful circumstances, then I could have avoided this problem.
I actually didn't even realize how irrational and spontaneous Henry is until I read this, but now I completely agree. I think his relationship with Catherine is completely irrational and badly thought out, and the only reason that it actually works in his favor is because Catherine, like you said, is looking for the same companionship that he is. I also agree that most people are prone to make these kind of decisions when they are stressed and under pressure. I think a lot of people tend to avoid confrontation, and therefore try to please the people around them instead of speaking their mind. Like Henry, he is doing what the people around him expect him to do, and when he is surprised by Catherine's declaration, all he can think to do is agree with her.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree that Frederick is impulsive, but I don’t think that it is necessarily always a bad thing. Although the straggling solider, who admitted to purposefully losing his truss to get out of combat, technically went against the army’s code of conduct, I can completely sympathize with his situation. Personally, if I were a solider fighting in the line, I would most likely have similar fears and the desire to find a way out of war. I don’t think Frederick’s spontaneous decision to assist the solider in exonerating himself of his duties should be viewed as negative and impulsive, but rather as empathetic and clever.
ReplyDeleteexcellent effort, Hannah. Good understanding of posting's purpose. Continue to explore the consequences of love during wartime as you go on. great job.
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