Despite different attitudes toward war, people cannot ignore one evident truth this event has a tremendous impact on everything. The changes that Frederick Henry experiences in Ernest Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms introduce a good example of how one man’s perspectives reveal others’ harshness. Although I have never seen war with my own eyes, I get a good understanding of how conflicts might change. The controversies in Henry’s life may be reflected through the prism of my observations of how devastating biased judgments can be. In A Farewell to Arms, Hemingway shows how Henry’s desire for self-improvement breaks his current beliefs about service and makes him a dignified man, becoming a solid contribution to my ability to solve real-world problems.
In the beginning, Henry demonstrates his positive thoughts about war and the possibility of fighting and winning. Despite the horrible destructions and ruins, the character is glad the war continues as it is a good way to develop his skills and achieve satisfaction (Vidor). However, the people Henry meets in his life make him reconsider his opinion about military conflicts. He learns that “there is nothing as bad as war,” and “people realize how bad it is they cannot do anything to stop it” (Hemingway 53). With time, Henry comes up with the evaluation that completes his transformation. He understands that the world in war might kill “the very good and the very gentle and the very brave” (Hemingway 267). Instead of developing strength and courage, people should be smart enough to avoid wars.
In my life, I cannot ignore the presence of minor quarrels that become serious conflicts with time. Hemingway’s story proves that sometimes it is usually more difficult to avoid the problem than to be ready to participate in a debate. When two of my friends were about to end their relationships because of diverse attitudes toward one real-life event, I did everything possible to minimize their disagreements.
The stories like A Farewell to Arms help to create a world free from conflicts and misunderstandings if people are ready to change and recognize their mistakes. Today, it is hard for people to diminish their ambitions even if they know such decisions enhance peace and stability. Thus, Henry’s changes in war perspectives should become a good example of how the attitudes of one person might affect others.
Works Cited
Hemingway, Ernest. A Farewell to Arms. Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1929.
Vidor, Charles, director. A Farewell to Arms. The Selznick Company, 1957.