Two summary - Book Report/Review Example

due A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway: Book 2 Chapter Analysis “A farewell to arms” by Ernest Hemingway, is story about henry, a young American student, who moves to Italy for further studies , joins army and changes from living a cheap life to a noble one. In a pessimistic mood, Ernest describes Henry’s life encounters and interactions in five books. Book two begins on chapter thirteen. Henry has been transferred to a new hospital. Upon arriving at Milan, an American hospital, he feels misplaced and does not cope well with the new hosts.

The first host Mrs. Walker is described as being too submissive. The next morning henry meets the second nurse, the young Miss Gage. Miss van Campen the hospital manager, visits henry, they develop a mutual hate to one another, but turns down his request for wine but rather sends a glass of eggnog. Under henry’s order, the porter brings wine and vermouth. Miss Gage enters henry’s ward and sots the wine bottles under the bed. Contrary to henry’s expectation she complains of not being invited.

Upon henry’s request, a barber is brought to shave him. He mistakes henry of the Austrian soldier and treats him rudely. Later after the barber and the porter have left, Henry meets Catherine; they fall in love and make love in the hospital bed. It’s in chapter 15, when the first doctors arrive, examines henry’s leg and upon consultation with three other doctors suggest that henry stay in bed for six months awaiting operation. Henry rebels and jokingly suggests the legs amputation. However, Dr.

Valentine, a cheerful, enthusiastic and proficient doctor, arrives two hours later and promises to take the operation the day after. That night Henry and Catherine spend together. Catherine assures henry of their privacy, she prepares him for operation, they commemorate their last night’s affair but she warns him not to talk about their affair claiming that anesthetics make people talkative. Both are attracted to each other. Catherine is pleased by henry’s response that he was previously a virgin, while henry asks her to come back that night though she declines.

The operation is successful, though it makes henry feel unwell for a while. Three more patients join henry. Henry makes a new nurse friend, Helen Furgerson who delivers messages to Catherine, when the two lovers aren’t together. Unlike Miss Gage, who happens to be jealous, Helen is happy with Catherine’s affair but warns henry not to get Catherine into trouble. Henry convinces Helen and gage to offer Catherine some night offs. The two lovers reunite in three days. Its summer, Henry and can now walk on sticks, and Catherine takes him to Gran Italia where they befriend the head waiter.

They enjoy their moments and even discuss marriage. Catherine promises to be faithful, but is afraid that their marriage can cost her a job. Henry enjoys touching her hair, while Catherine admits making a mistake but assures but assures henry that she is happy about him. Chapter 19 shows Henry’s humanness. He is either in the company of Catherine or other people. In a bar he meets Ettore Moreti and two opera singers and praises him heroism. Catherine seems not to like Moretti. He has a chocolate for her, and even comforts her when she cries due to rain.

In the company of Fergie, and another boy patient, henry and Catherine visit a horse race. They bet but Catherine portrays his traditional ties by explaining that the purplish-black horse was a dyed and would be used to corrupt the race, as it has always been. Moreover, Catherine enjoys being with henry alone and thus they excuse themselves from their friends.Henry receives news that they about to win the war. He is almost healed and set to report back to work in few weeks’ time. On the other hand, Catherine is pregnant and willing to flee with henry.

Despite having a mixed reaction on how he would respond. Cautiously Catherine explains the hardships that will befall them, but henry responds “cowards die a thousand times before their real death.” Henry contracts jaundice by being rained. Mis van Campen does not agree with the cause and blames his alcoholism. She even claims that he did it internationally to evade returning to work, and file a report against his convalescent leave. Liquor bottles act as evidence that Henry has been taking alcohol.

Henry leaves the hospital together with Catherine. Henry gets a gun, they move to a hotel to evade rain. Catherine is uncomfortable with her previous behavior; they get a room, have sex and regain their happiness. They vow never to meet their parents, and plan how their baby will be delivered in its father’s absence. In chapter 24, henry leaves his fiancée and takes off with the train heading to the front. Henry portrays grace by graciously offering her seat to another soldier. Work citedHemingway, Ernest.

A Farewell to Arms. New York: Scribner Classics, 1997. Print.