A Farewell to Arms

Frederic is uncomfortable in civilian clothes; he has been wearing a military uniform for over two years and is unused to this new identity. Aviators who board the train are scornful of his civilian status during war. While he would have picked a fight about that in the past, it no longer bothers him. He has a newspaper but has no desire to read about the war: “I was going to forget the war. I had made a separate peace” (211).

He goes to the hotel in a carriage and gets a good room, telling the staff that he is expecting his wife. He then goes to the bar and talks to the bartender, who he knows. He tells him he is on convalescent leave. He finds out that Catherine and Helen are at a small hotel. After eating and drinking and looking at his civilian self in the mirror, he goes to their hotel. Helen is shocked, and Catherine is “too happy to believe it” (213).

Helen is angry at Frederic for getting Catherine pregnant. She starts to berate him for being a “snake with an Italian uniform” (214). She then gets mad at Catherine for being sneaky just like he is. She wishes Catherine would show more shame for her situation. She starts crying and Catherine tries to comfort her. In the end, Helen says she wants them both to be happy, but she still wishes they would get married. She is also unhappy at being left alone at their hotel but tells Catherine to stay with Frederic.

That night, Frederic reflects on loneliness. He says that even when two lovers are together, they can still feel a sense of loneliness. But with Catherine, he never feels that loneliness. They are deeply connected to each other’s feelings. The next morning, they talk about Frederic’s danger of arrest and the need to get out of the country to Switzerland. Frederic says, “I feel like a criminal. I’ve deserted from the army” (218). Catherine tries to cheer him up by saying it’s “only the Italian army”(218), which makes him laugh.

While Catherine is visiting Helen, Frederic finally reads the newspapers and learns that the army did not stand at Tagliamento but instead fell back to the Piave.

The barman arrives and says that Count Greffi is looking for Frederic. He’s 94 and still drinking champagne cocktails, winning at billiards, and throwing big birthday parties. Frederic then invites the barman to go fishing with him. They stop for drinks at a fisherman’s island. They talk about the war, and the barman says he would leave the country before going to war. When the barman asks Frederic why he went to war, Frederic says, “I was a fool” (221). When they get back, the barman gives Frederic the key for the boat’s chain, saying he can use it any time.

When Catherine gets back, she wonders what’s wrong. Frederic says, “My life used to be full of everything […] Now if you aren’t with me I haven’t a thing in the world” (222). Catherine alludes to Shakespeare when she says that he’s like Othello once he loses his occupation to jealousy. Frederic dismisses Othello with a racist slur, calling him the n-word, saying: “Besides, I’m not jealous” (222).

While in the hotel room with Catherine, Frederic receives an invitation from Count Greffi to play billiards. They enjoy spending time with each other. Frederic doesn’t want to talk about the war and the Count is glad. He asks about his reading, and Frederic says he hasn’t read anything. The Count recommends “Le Feu” and “Mr. Britling Sees Through It.” Frederic says he actually read that book but it’s not any good, admitting that he has been reading. Count Greffi reflects on spirituality, saying that one regret he has is that he is not more devout. Then Frederic finally returns to the war, asking his thoughts, and the Count says bluntly that the war is "stupid" (226). He thinks Italy will win because it is the younger nation and the younger ones always win. Before departing, the count says, “If you ever become devout pray for me if I am dead” (227). Frederic replies, “I might become very devout […] Anyway, I will pray for you” (227). Frederic reveals that he loves someone, and the Count says that is a type of religious feeling.