A Farewell to Arms
| File:Hemingway farewell.jpg First edition cover | |
| Author | Ernest Hemingway |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | War Semi-autobiographical novel |
| Publisher | Scribner's Magazine |
Publication date | May–October, 1929 |
| Publication place | American |
| Media type | Print (Serialization) |
| Pages | 336 pp (Scribner reprint ed) |
| ISBN | ISBN 978-0-684-80146-9 (Scribner reprint ed) Parameter error in {{ISBNT}}: invalid character |
A Farewell to Arms is a semi-autobiographical novel written by Ernest Hemingway, first published in 1929. Much of the novel was written at the home of Hemingway's in-laws in Piggott, Arkansas.[1]. The novel is told through the point of view of Lieutenant Frederic Henry, an American serving as an ambulance driver in the Italian army during World War I. The title is taken from a poem by 16th century English dramatist George Peele.[2]
Plot summary
The novel is divided into five books. In the first book, Henry meets and attempts to seduce Catherine Barkley 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 Catherine's 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 after, the Austro-Germans break through the Italian lines 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 hearing the execution of a Lt.Colonel, Henry escapes by jumping into a river. In the fourth book, Catherine and Henry reunite and flee to Switzerland in a rowing boat. In the final book, Henry and Catherine live a quiet life in the mountains until she goes into labor. After a long and painful labor, their son is stillborn. Catherine begins to hemorrhage and soon dies, leaving Henry to return to their hotel in the rain.
Adaptations
- The novel was adapted for the stage by Laurence Stallings in 1930.
- The 1932 screen adaptation was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture. The screenplay was written by Oliver H.P. Garrett and Benjamin Glazer. It was directed by Frank Borzage and features the music of Richard Wagner. The movie stars Helen Hayes, Gary Cooper and Adolphe Menjou [3].
- A 1957 remake starring Rock Hudson, Jennifer Jones and Vittorio De Sica was directed by Charles Vidor and John Huston. De Sica was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his performance [4].
- The BBC broadcast an abridged adaptation - written by Giles Cooper, directed by Rex Tucker and starring Vanessa Redgrave and George Hamilton - on February 15, 1966 [5].
See also
References
- ^ "Hemingway-Pfeiffer Home Page". Arkansas State University. Retrieved 2007-01-30.
- ^ "George Peele: A Farewell to Arms (To Queen Elizabeth)". The DayPoems Poetry Collection. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
- ^ A Farewell to Arms (1932) at IMDb
- ^ A Farewell to Arms (1957) at IMDb
- ^ A Farewell to Arms (1966) at IMDb