A Farewell to Arms

by

Ernest Hemingway

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A Farewell to Arms Symbols

Rain

Rain is a recurring symbol of death in A Farewell to Arms. From the first chapter, when rain is associated with the cholera that kills 7,000 soldiers, to the last sentence, where it is… read analysis of Rain

Riding Crop

When Henry first meets Catherine, she is carrying the riding crop that belonged to her fiancé, who was killed in the Battle of the Somme. The war represents Catherine's inability to let her fiancé… read analysis of Riding Crop

Officers' Stars

The stars that military officers wear on their sleeves in A Farewell to Arms represent competence and duty. When Dr. Valentini agrees to operate on Henry's leg in Chapter 15, Henry is comforted not… read analysis of Officers' Stars

Hair and Beards

Catherine's hair, and Henry's beard (grown in Book 5), symbolize Catherine and Henry's temporary insulation from the world. Early in their relationship, Henry loves to remove Catherine's hairpins so her hair surrounds him… read analysis of Hair and Beards