A Farewell to Arms
by Ernest Hemingway
✓

or to save your progress

A Farewell to Arms: Situational Irony 2 key examples

Key Examples in A Farewell to Arms

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.”

Unlock with LitCharts A+
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.”

Unlock with LitCharts A+