A Farewell to Arms Group

Topic: What might be Frederic's future after Catherine & the baby died?

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cknowles

What might be Frederic's future after Catherine & the baby died?

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mshurn

Lt. Henry's future can only be surmised, of course, based upon his circumstances at the novel's conclusion and what we know of his character. Frederic was saddened by the loss of the baby, but he was emotionally devastated by Catherine's death. He says goodbye to her, alone, then leaves the hospital, alone, and walks in the rain back to the hotel. Alone is how Frederic will live the remainder of his life. He will survive Catherine's death, but he will remain forever wounded, a characteristic of Hemingway's heroes. He will continue to move through life, one day after another; he will endure. Frederic will live with courage because getting through one more day will be an act of courage. He will seek a life free of emotional complications. He will probably drink too much, as he once had, and he will not sleep in the dark, just as he had avoided the dark after being wounded and hospitalized. 

Since Frederic is a deserter, he will remain in Switzerland where he is safe until the war ends. He might return to the places he and Catherine shared, but not for very long. He would leave them behind and move on, dealing with life through action rather than introspection. Whether Frederic would return to the United States or stay in Europe would not be important in his future. He will not have a home; Catherine was home for him.

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