Ernest Hemingway's A Farewell To Arms

The concept of rain is a prevalent occurrence throughout Ernest Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms. While rain in most literature signifies life and renewal of hope, Hemingway takes an unorthodox twist in his symbolic representation of rain. Hemingway uses rain throughout the novel to describe and foreshadow imminent doom, ranging from emotional endeavors to physical struggles and often culminating in death. The idea of perpetual rain reinforces the idea of a world plagued with never-ending war and broken individuals. To the extent that rain is a harbinger of doom in the novel, it also ties together many of the calamities that occur as a result. Ultimately, rain serves as the final arbiter of life between the characters, an outside force that …show more content…
Soon after learning of his newborn’s death, Henry looks out of the window and could see “nothing but the dark and the rain falling across the light from the window” (327). Henry does not physically respond to the news, but his pain is palpable through his intense stoicism and helplessness. This is further exemplified only moments later by Catherine’s death. Catherine’s fear of rain is finally discerned, as she and her child both face death in the waking arms of rain. It is rain that causes the death of Henry’s love and lovechild. Henry’s reaction to Catherine’s death is even more distressing, for he shows no emotion and describes his farewell to Catherine as “saying good-by to a statue” (332). Perhaps Henry is projecting his statue-like emotional demeanor onto Catherine. The novel comes to a close with the notion of Henry trailing through the rain back to his hotel: “After a while [he] went out and left the hospital and walked back to the hotel in the rain” (332). This image is paramount, as it encapsulates the entirety of the tragedy that rain brought upon Henry. This is also where Henry faces the greatest tragedy of all: his return to a numb, stoic emotional state, one that is comparable to what he felt during his time at the

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