A Farewell to Arms

by Ernest Hemingway

A Farewell to Arms: Irony 3 key examples

Definition of Irony

Irony is a literary device or event in which how things seem to be is in fact very different from how they actually are. If this seems like a loose definition... read full definition
Irony is a literary device or event in which how things seem to be is in fact very different from how they actually are. If this... read full definition
Irony is a literary device or event in which how things seem to be is in fact very different from how... read full definition
Chapter 9
Explanation and Analysis—Macaroni and Cheese:

At the battle site of Pavla, Henry and the other ambulance drivers get hit by a mortar shell while eating macaroni and cheese, an instance of situational irony. The passage also contains simile and imagery to make the scene all the more vivid:

I ate the end of my piece of cheese and took a swallow of wine. […] Then there was a flash, as when a blast-furnace door is swung open, and a roar that started white and went red and on and on in a rushing wind. […] The ground was torn up and in front of my head there was a splintered beam of wood. In the jolt of my head I heard somebody crying. I thought somebody was screaming. I tried to move but I could not move.

Chapter 11
Explanation and Analysis—The Drinking Priest:

In Chapter 11, the priest agrees to drink vermouth with Henry, which appears ironic due to his religious profession:

"I am so glad you are all right,” he said. “I hope you don’t suffer.” He seemed very tired and I was not used to seeing him tired.

[...] “You were very good to come, father. Will you drink a glass of vermouth?”

“Thank you. You keep it. It’s for you.”

“No, drink a glass.”

“All right. I will bring you more then.”

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Chapter 18
Explanation and Analysis—My Religion:

In Chapter 18, Catherine uses a metaphor to compare Henry to religion: 

You’re my religion. You’re all I’ve got.

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Chapter 25
Explanation and Analysis—The Drinking Priest:

In Chapter 11, the priest agrees to drink vermouth with Henry, which appears ironic due to his religious profession:

"I am so glad you are all right,” he said. “I hope you don’t suffer.” He seemed very tired and I was not used to seeing him tired.

[...] “You were very good to come, father. Will you drink a glass of vermouth?”

“Thank you. You keep it. It’s for you.”

“No, drink a glass.”

“All right. I will bring you more then.”

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Chapter 41
Explanation and Analysis—My Religion:

In Chapter 18, Catherine uses a metaphor to compare Henry to religion: 

You’re my religion. You’re all I’ve got.

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