A saying that came out of the trenches, or foxholes, of World War I was, "There are no atheists in foxholes." Henry, who sees the world as a bitter realist, does not love God. However, he is not above turning to religion in times of crisis, as can be seen in the St. Anthony medallion he puts under his shirt before going into battle or his moving, desperate prayer when Catherine is dying. While Henry never becomes a conventionally religious man, he does follow the advice of the priest and Count Greffi, who in separate conversations outline a sort of humanist theology for Henry: he should commit with religious devotion to the person he loves, who is Catherine. Even this personal form of religion, however, fails Henry in the end.
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Religion ThemeTracker
The ThemeTracker below shows where, and to what degree, the theme of Religion appears in each chapter of A Farewell to Arms. Click or tap on any chapter to read its Summary & Analysis.
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Religion Quotes in A Farewell to Arms
Below you will find the important quotes in A Farewell to Arms related to the theme of Religion.
Chapter 11
Quotes
"You do not love Him at all?" he asked.
"I am afraid of Him in the night sometimes."
"You should love Him."
"I don't love much."
"I am afraid of Him in the night sometimes."
"You should love Him."
"I don't love much."
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Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 14
Quotes
God knows I had not wanted to fall in love with her. I had not wanted to fall in love with any one. But God knows I had.
Chapter 18
Quotes
"You're my religion. You're all I've got."
Chapter 27
Quotes
I was always embarrassed by the words sacred, glorious and sacrifice and the expression in vain. We had heard them, sometimes standing in the rain almost out of earshot, so that only the shouted words came through, and had read them on proclamations that were slapped up by billposters over other proclamations, now for a long time, and I had seen nothing sacred, and the things that were glorious had no glory and the sacrifices were like the stockyards at Chicago if nothing was done with the meat except to bury it.
Chapter 35
Quotes
"Then too you are in love. Do not forget that is a religious feeling."
Chapter 41
Quotes
God please make her not die. I'll do anything you say if you don't let her die. You took the baby but don't let her die. That was all right but don't let her die. Please, please, dear God, don't let her die.