The novel, A Farewell to Arms, by Ernest Hemingway is a novel about war, which is clearly suggested by the title. It is also about a tragic romance as we discover when we follow the journey of the two protagonists, Frederic Henry and Catherine Barkley. What isn’t as apparent is that the novel is an extremely religious novel. However, a close look at how and when religious terms appear in the novel quickly reveal that religion is one of the strongest themes in the book.
Atheism in A Farewell to Arms
The first four pages of the novel are simple declarative images that are meant to convey Henry’s experiences during WWI up to the point the reader enters the story. The first conversation we encounter in the story is that of a group of soldiers and a priest as they drink and relax at mess. The conversation progresses from teasing the young priest in an attempt to make him blush to an abrupt declaration by the major that “All thinking men are atheist.” (13)
According to Merriam-Webster, religion can be defined as “a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith.” If this is a true definition, then atheism can be defined as a religion. It is certainly an accurate definition for religion in the novel, if one uses the definition as a yardstick for various religious statements and conversations held during the progression of the book.
You are My Religion
During the course of their ‘lovely summer’ in Milan, Henry and Catherine begin to talk as if they are married and talk as if they might marry. During one conversation, Henry wonders if they ought to go through a formal marriage ceremony for the sake of the child. However, Catherine says it doesn’t matter because she doesn’t have a religion and so their ‘private marriage’ is sufficient for her. She goes on to say “You’re my religion. You’re all I’ve got.” (108)
Unlike the atheists earlier in the novel, Catherine doesn’t worry that there is no God. It isn’t a concern for her. She simply replaces the god-void with a human being. Her cause is found in Henry and she holds to him with ardor and faith when she says “I want us to be all mixed up.” Henry too seems to hold to this faith in the human when he says, “We’re the same one.” (270)
An article in People magazine quotes Hemingway as making a similar statement about the nurse on whom he modeled Catherine Barkley. He said “I'm just smashed by it...I forgot all about religion and everything else because I had Ag to worship.”
Greffi’s Restatement of Love as Religion
During the course of a billiard game, Henry and Count Greffi discuss religion. More than once, Greffi says that he had expected to become devout in his old age but finds that he isn’t. However, as the two men part company, Greffi reminds Henry that “you are in love. Do not forget that is a religious feeling.” (237)
Once again, Hemingway puts the proposal of a religion found in human love in the mouth of one of his characters.
Prayer for Catherine
After the cesarean, it becomes obvious that Catherine is going to die. Henry comes to terms with human limitations. Humans die. He is frightened by the thought of being left alone without the one thing that matters to him and so he prays repetitively, almost incoherently “Please, please, dear God, don’t let her die.” (295)
After Religion Fails
Henry’s religion, his love for Catherine, fails him. After both Catherine and their child die. Henry walks away. Alone. Lonely.
Hemingway, Ernest. A Farewell to Arms. Scribner Classics. 1997. ISBN-13: 978-0-684-83788-8 ISBN-10: 0-684-83788-9
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