English 377
Paper 1: A Farewell to Arms
4/2/16
Catherine Barkly: mans stepping stone to achievement and fulfillment
The Bechdel test, while usually applied to films, asks whether a work of fiction
features at least two named, women characters who talk to each other about something
other than a man. Works that pass the test are considered to have a rudimentary level of
Farewell to Arms, does not pass the Bechdel test. The novel, published in 1929, is set in
Italy during World War I and centers around Lieutenant Frederic Henry, an American
ambulance driver in the Italian army. Catherine Barkley is an English nurse and serves as
Henrys love interest. Unlike Henry, she is a static character who does not function as an
individual with her own purpose. The idealization, submission and eventual death of
Catherine Barkley demonstrate her sole purpose to further the development of Frederic
interest, her purpose is to fulfill his desires. In A readers Guide to Ernest Hemingway,
and middle-aged male desire (Waldhorn 123). A consistent theme throughout their
relationship is the desire to be shielded from the war. Both of the characters use the
relationship to distract themselves from the horror surrounding them. While Catherine is
caring for Henry in the hospital, they discuss Henrys past love life.
None.
Youre lying to me.
Yes.
Its all right. Keep right on lying to me. Thats what I want you to do. Were they
Initially, the relationship was a game of love with the sole purpose of distracting them
from unpleasant circumstances. This passage demonstrates this game but also one of the
illusions their entire relationship is built upon. Catherine and Henry are both
acknowledging the lie. This dialogue establishes the importance of illusion in Catherine
and Henrys relationship. By accepting the illusion, Catherine furthers her position as and
idealization rather than a realistic character. Catherines hair is a significant symbol in the
novel. Henrys description of her hair in chapter XVII has become a well-known passage.
He says, I would watch her while she kept very still and then take out the last two pins
and it would all come down and she would drop her head and we would both be inside of
it, and it was the feeling of inside a tent or behind a falls. (Hemingway 114). This
description stands as a symbol of the couples isolation from the world. Henry allows
himself to believe that they are protected from the outside world by something as delicate
as hair. In this description we are reminded of Catherines alluring beauty as well as her
representation of male desire. After discussing the relationship between a man and a
prostitute, Catherine states that she too, will say just what you wish and do what you
wish (Hemingway 105). Later on, she tells Henry, And Ive tried to be the way you
wanted (Hemingway 139) as if she had failed at doing so. Throughout the novel,
Catherine is obsessed with ensuring her status as the ideal woman. An ideal woman is
submissive and affectionate, sees her lover as god, and desires only to shed her own
societal expectations. When Henry and Catherine first meet, she appears to have strict
beliefs and a tendency to stand out from societal norms. She initially set up to fit into the
paradigm of the New Woman. Yet Catherine quickly submits to Henry and allows her self
Shortly after meeting, Catherine and Henry are left alone together. When Henry tries to
kiss her, Catherine slaps him. Her immediate reaction is to apologize, Im so sorry, she
said. I felt I had a certain advantage I was angry and yet certain, seeing it all ahead like
the moves in a chess game. (Hemingway 26). Considering the amount of time she has
known him, Catherines response is acceptable and plausible. With little discussion of the
incident, Catherine allows Henry to kiss her, I kissed her hard and held her tight and
tried to open her lips; they were closed tight. I was still angry (Hemingway 27). Through
this description, it is clear that Catherine is uncomfortable and does not want to be kissing
Henry. Henrys language in both quotes is indicative of how he views Catherine and their
relationship. He is quick to take advantage of her and already expects her submission.
After their kiss, Catherine says to Henry, You will [be good to me], wont you? She
looked up at me. Because were going to have a strange life. (Hemingway 27). Despite
being almost complete strangers and this borderline abusive situation, Catherine quickly
submits to Henrys desires and attaches herself to him. She is already expecting a whole
life together and has no problem abandoning her values in order to win favor with Henry.
According to the little information given regarding Catherines past, she has a
history is submission in her pervious relationship. In every other component of her life,
Catherine stands as an individual against societal expectations. Yet she lets the men in her
life define her. The only backstory we have regarding Catherine is about her previous
relationship. Catherine does not exist outside of a romantic relationship, whether that is
with Henry or her dead fianc. Catherine has no problem being defined by these
relationships. In chapter XVIII, Catherine says to Henry, I want what you want. There
isnt any me anymore. Just what you want. (Hemingway 106). This abandonment of
personal identity furthers the divide between Henry and Catherine. To reinforce her
perspective, when speaking of marriage, Catherine tells Henry, You are my religion.
Youre all Ive got. (Hemingway 116). To maintain their relationship, Catherine must
give up everything while Henry gives up nothing. She is stripped of the very core of her
existence. Without Henry she would have no identity. This merger of ones individuality
Henrys character arc is dependent on the death of Catherine Barkley. After the baby is
delivered, Henry thinks, Poor, poor dear Cat. And this was the price you paid for
sleeping together. This was the end of the trap. This was what people got for loving each
other. (Hemingway 320). With the major theme of love and war running through the
novel, her death is inevitable and necessary to complete the plot. Henry comes to the
conclusion that even love cannot shelter him from the pain of loss and death. Shortly
before her death, Henry says, And now Catherine would die. That is what you did. You
died But they killed you in the end. You could count on that. Stay around and they
would kill you. (Hemingway 327). This passage serves as the completion of Henrys
throughout the novel is to help Henry achieve this final conclusion. She has no individual
The death of Catherine Barkly is only tragic because it leaves Henry alone.
Catherine has no unique qualities that solidify her place or purpose in Henrys life. In her
final words to Henry, Catherine says, You wont do our things with another girl, or say
the same things, will you?I want you to have girls, though. (Hemingway 331). The
need for her to ask this question cements her status as interchangeable with other women.
Catherine herself knows that Henry could go out and find another women just like her to
fulfill her role after her death. With her replaceable nature, even Catherines one purpose
of fulfilling Henrys desires furthering his character development is taken from her. If she
is replaceable than anyone could serve this purpose in Henrys life. Catherine Barkley is a
inequality between women and men and promote unrealistic expectations of women.
Ernest Hemingways A Farewell to Arms tells the story of Frederic Henry as he explores
the relationship between love and war. His eventual conclusion is that the repercussions
of both are the same: pain and loss. Catherine is a representation of an ideal woman who
Catherines death at the conclusion of the novel is the final plot point in Henrys
resolution. A moment that should be about the individual dying is only significant