Blog Post #1

            Throughout the first book of A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway, the most interesting theme remains that war is viewed by soldiers and those directly experiencing it as unnecessary, and out of their control.  At times it felt like the soldiers, drivers, and other men involved in the war did not fully understand all of the objectives of the war in which they were fighting.  Not only do the soldiers lose sight of what they are fighting for, but they also harbor doubts about whether or not the fighting will end.  When the priest visits the narrator in the hospital, the narrator asks, "And the ones who would not make war? Can they stop it?"(71), to which the priest replies, "I do not know"(71).  In this way the uncertain and unpredictable nature of war ultimately serves to confuse and frustrate those wishing for its end throughout the novel, eventually leaving them hopeless. I think this is significant because it impacts the motives behind each soldier to continue on and serve their country, and influences how well they will behave in times of need.
           It also is interesting to me how disconnected the ambulance drivers and mechanics feel to those with political power in their country.  Passini asserts that, "There is a class that controls a country that is stupid and does not realize anything and never can. That is why we have war"(51) as if to suggest that war will always be a threat to the world, and there will always be a significant gap between the opinions of those with political power and the average citizen.  Also, Passini implies that the fate of the country is completely out of the population's control, and the war is a consequence of living in a nation with wealthy individuals as decision-makers for the entire country. Lastly, when discussing a permanent peace, the priest contends, "It is never hopeless.  But sometimes I cannot hope. I try always to hope but sometimes I cannot"(71).  Therefore, even the priest, who is meant to provide soldiers with hope and faith, is doubtful that there will be an end to the war and is unable to remain optimistic and hopeful.  In essence, the idea that war is never-ending and a constant threat to countries in the future is upheld even from the perspective of the priest.
           The lack of control that individuals such as Passini feel during this time is reflective of the lack of political power certain individuals feel in the world today. Countries without democracies such as North Korea and China hold similar requests for control as individuals living under the fascist dictatorship of Mussolini during World War II.  In other words, average citizens feeling unjustly represented by government is not something that only took place during WWII, but it is still taking place today, and therefore is extremely relevant.  Also, In today's world many people are still doubtful that a permanent peace and a world without wars will ever be achieved.