Moving forward with the theme of detachment,
throughout book two Hemingway begins to relay the idea that not only is war morally
perplexing to soldiers, but it also serves as a disturbance from the beautiful
lives that could be enjoyed in the absence of war. Henry in
particular questions why he is partaking in this gruesome, dangerous war that
almost cost him his life. However, part
of what makes this question so unsettling for him is his augmented fascination
with his love interest—Miss Barkley. As
he grows closer to her, the idea of serving in the war becomes more and more disturbing
and confusing. While Henry recaps his
time in Milan, he stresses that, “The west front did not sound so good. It looked as though the war were going on for
a long time”(88). Therefore, because
Henry spent more time with someone he loved and enjoyed a happier lifestyle,
the war sounded worse than before.
Also, Hemingway emphasizes Henry’s views of
Milan from his hospital bed as well as the beautiful weather in order to reestablish
the idea that Milan, the place in which he is trapped in a hospital, is still a
place where good things can happen. Henry
asks Mrs. Gage to open the window and discloses that, “I looked out on a
balcony and beyond …over the tiled roofs and saw white clouds and the sky very
blue”(86). The bright blue sky
symbolizes happiness, and is different than the sky Henry would observe if he
was fighting a war, or risking his life.
During his time in Milan, Henry also takes a greater interest in
observing the civilization surrounding him.
Henry observes specific details such as, “rich green farms with their
irrigation ditches”(118), and “big overgrown gardens and ditches with water
flowing and green vegetable gardens”(118), suggesting that he finds comfort in
his surroundings and the simplicity and innocence of a lifestyle that is not
directly experiencing the adverse affects of the war. He would not be noticing these things and
describing them so elegantly if he did not feel emotionally connected to them.
I can personally relate to Henry’s experiences
of observing his surroundings and finding beauty in the mountains and farmlands
of Italy and Austria. While on the
Europe Trip with the school, I drove through the same mountains and
farmlands. I noticed how bright and blue
the sky was in comparison to the bright green grass, and I can personally report
that the stunning scenery of these countries has the ability to change anyone’s
mood and outlook. Just from looking out
the windows of the bus, I was transfixed by the picturesque qualities of the
farmlands, the classic European architecture, and the landscape. It actually does emit the idea that anything
is possible and life is well worth living- a drastic change from any individual’s
outlook while serving in a seemingly pointless and never-ending war.
This analysis effectively highlights the force of desirable surroundings on Henry's outlook while he endures the imprisonment of war. I agree with the point that the presence of Catherine Barkley, whose pure beauty serves as a foil to the repulsiveness of war, significantly helps to detach Henry from the war effort. I would also add that Miss Barkley opens Henry's mind to true, sincere love, something that he may have never experienced beforehand, since he says that he had only "been with" other girls, but may have never had a long-lasting relationship. This idea may further your analysis, since if this is actually Henry's first true love, he may be even more angered and confused by why he is still fighting this life-threatening, seemingly useless war when he could be experiencing this new-found joy with Catherine in peace.
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