Character Analysis (AQA A-Level English Literature A): Revision Notes

Character analysis

Understanding the characters in "A Farewell to Arms" is essential for analysing Hemingway's exploration of war, love and disillusionment. Each character serves a specific purpose in developing the novel's central themes and contributes to our understanding of the protagonist's journey.

Major characters

Lieutenant Frederic Henry

Frederic Henry serves as both protagonist and narrator of the novel. He is a young American volunteer ambulance driver serving with the Italian army during World War I. His character undergoes significant development throughout the narrative.

At the novel's opening, Henry appears detached and somewhat cynical about the war. He does not care deeply about the military cause and instead focuses on performing his duties competently. However, his emotional landscape transforms dramatically when he meets Catherine Barkley. Their passionate relationship becomes his refuge from the brutality and horror surrounding him.

Henry embodies what critics call the Hemingway hero - a character archetype defined by remaining cool-headed and unselfish whilst exercising grace under pressure. When wounded, Henry demonstrates courage and professionalism. When forced to shoot a deserting engineering officer, he fulfils his duty without hesitation. This ability to function effectively despite chaos and moral ambiguity defines his character.

Catherine Barkley

Catherine Barkley works as a VAD (Voluntary Aid Detachment) nurse - a second-tier nursing role filled by volunteers. When we first meet her, she is grieving the recent death of her fiancé, which has left her emotionally vulnerable and somewhat unstable.

Catherine's relationship with Henry begins as a diversion from her grief. She admits to being slightly unbalanced (or "crazy") when they first met, and her behaviour supports this assessment. She gives herself readily to a near stranger, and her flirtatious teasing sometimes seems juvenile. However, this initial portrait becomes more complex as the narrative progresses.

As their relationship deepens, Catherine demonstrates unexpected strength and independence. She helps Henry row their boat across the lake during their escape, showing physical capability. Yet she remains characteristically eager to please Henry, displaying what might be considered submissive behaviour, though both partners appear content with this dynamic.

Catherine shares Henry's philosophical outlook, believing that the world seeks to destroy people's happiness. This worldview connects them emotionally and intellectually, making their relationship more than simple escapism.

Lieutenant Rinaldi

Rinaldi, Henry's Italian surgeon roommate, serves as an important foil to the protagonist. He is an alcoholic and self-proclaimed womaniser who explicitly rejects romantic love as Henry experiences it. Instead, Rinaldi claims to fall in love with nearly every woman he encounters, only to quickly move on to the next.

His character introduces interesting psychological complexity through what literary critics term a homosocial relationship with Henry - a bond between men that borders on but does not quite cross into homoeroticism. This intense friendship provides context for understanding male relationships in wartime.

Rinaldi's cynicism about romantic love contrasts sharply with Henry's devotion to Catherine, highlighting the transformative power of Henry's relationship.

Supporting characters

The priest

The unnamed priest in Henry's unit occupies an interesting position. His fellow soldiers, including the Captain and Major, frequently mock him and make him the target of jokes. However, Henry treats him with genuine kindness and respect.

The priest and Henry share several meaningful conversations throughout the novel. Despite not being religious himself, Henry values the priest's perspective and moral guidance. Significantly, the priest encourages Henry to pursue love and happiness, providing spiritual support for Henry's relationship with Catherine.

The priest represents an alternative moral framework within the military environment - one based on compassion, faith and human connection rather than military honour or nationalist fervour.

Helen Ferguson

A Scottish nurse and Catherine's closest female friend, Helen Ferguson initially maintains friendly relations with Henry. However, as Henry and Catherine's relationship intensifies, Helen grows jealous and resentful.

Her jealousy stems from fear that Catherine will abandon their friendship for her romantic relationship. This concern proves partially justified as Catherine's focus shifts increasingly toward Henry. Helen's character illustrates the tensions that can arise between romantic and platonic relationships, particularly for women with limited support networks in wartime environments.

Dr Valentini

Dr Valentini appears during Henry's hospitalisation and serves as another example of the Hemingway hero archetype. He is brash and fast-talking but demonstrates exceptional competence as a surgeon. He successfully operates on Henry's injured knee when other doctors prove incompetent or ineffective.

Valentini's confident masculinity and professional skill contrast with the ineffectual doctors who first examine Henry. He represents the ideal of masculine competence that Hemingway valued - someone who combines technical expertise with decisive action.

Minor characters

Bonello

An Italian ambulance driver in Henry's unit, Bonello demonstrates the widespread disillusionment among Italian soldiers. When Henry shoots a deserting engineering sergeant, Bonello "happily" finishes killing him, revealing his callousness and moral degradation.

Bonello openly disbelieves in the war's cause. During the Italian retreat, he abandons the group to become a prisoner, preferring capture to continued service. His character illustrates how the war has stripped away idealism and created widespread cynicism.

Ettore Moretti

An Italian-American soldier, Ettore Moretti constantly boasts about his medals and rank whilst insulting others. He represents everything Henry is not - vain, status-obsessed and concerned with personal glory rather than genuine service.

Aymo

Another Italian ambulance driver, Aymo is shot and killed during the chaotic retreat. His death during the retreat emphasises the arbitrary nature of wartime mortality and the breakdown of military order.

Ralph Simmons

An opera singer whom Henry knows, Ralph Simmons provides crucial assistance after Henry's escape from the army. He gives Henry food and civilian clothing, enabling his flight to Switzerland with Catherine. Simmons represents civilian society's capacity for kindness and suggests a world beyond military conflict.

Miss Gage

A young, attractive nurse at the Milan hospital where Henry recovers, Miss Gage appears drawn to Henry. Her character demonstrates Henry's appeal to women but also his genuine commitment to Catherine, as he does not pursue other romantic opportunities.

Miss Van Campen

The shrewd superintendent of the Milan hospital immediately dislikes Henry. Miss Van Campen's antagonism creates obstacles during Henry's recovery and suggests the presence of authority figures who resent Henry's independence and charm.

Emilio

The bartender at the hotel in Stresa, Emilio proves a crucial ally during Henry's escape. He warns Henry about his impending arrest and provides access to his boat, enabling Henry and Catherine's flight to Switzerland. Emilio represents ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances who choose to help others despite personal risk.

Count Greffi

A wealthy elderly man who plays billiards with Henry at the hotel in Stresa, Count Greffi shares Henry's scepticism about the war. Their conversations reveal Henry's evolving philosophy and provide older, mature perspective on life's meaning.

Henry respects Count Greffi's opinions, seeing in him a model of how to live with dignity despite age and disillusionment. Their interactions suggest possibilities for meaning beyond military service or nationalist causes.

The Captain and Major

Both officers in Henry's unit, these characters repeatedly mock the priest. Their behaviour illustrates the casual cruelty and irreverence common among soldiers. They represent the military establishment's cynicism and lack of genuine moral conviction.

Character relationships and dynamics

The relationships between characters reveal much about Hemingway's themes. Henry and Catherine's relationship provides escape from war's brutality, whilst Henry and Rinaldi's friendship shows male bonding in extreme circumstances. The priest offers moral guidance without judgment, whilst characters like Ettore and the officers represent values Henry rejects.

Secondary characters like Emilio, Count Greffi and Ralph Simmons demonstrate that kindness and wisdom exist outside military structures. Meanwhile, characters like Bonello and Aymo show how war destroys ordinary people regardless of their beliefs or actions.