"A Farewell To Arms," by Ernest Hemingway can be seen as the wartime version of "Romeo & Juliet"," as it's a story of unlikely love. The characters in the story experience highs and lows, and their lives are described with sensitivity and feeling. .
Exposition .
Frederic Henry is a young American ambulance driver during WWI, serving in the Italian Army. In the start of the story the war is winding down as Henry plans to tour around Italy. The next spring when he returns to the front, he meets a young woman. Her name is Catherine Barkley. She is an English nurse's aid at a hospital that is close by. Shortly, Catherine and Henry become involved with one another. As Catherine grieves the loss of her husband she longs for love and begins to settle for the illusion of it. She desires an emotional connection with Henry, who is left numb and detached by the war. .
Rising Action .
Henry gets wounded and is taken to the hospital to recover. While there the doctors recommend that he stay on bed rest for six months and then have surgery on his wounded knee. Not willing to wait that long, Henry finds a doctor able and willing to perform the surgery without having him wait. Henry finds out Catherine has been transferred to the hospital he is at and begins his recovery under her care. During his recovery the bond between the two becomes tighter. The love between the two grows strong. Genuine emotion becomes involved, wrapping the two up in their love for one another. .
Climax .
Once Henry's leg heals, the Army grants him three weeks of leave before he is to be back on the front. As he plans a trip with Catherine, she tells him that she is pregnant. The following day Henry is diagnosed with jaundice. Miss Van Campen, the hospital superintendent blames the diagnosis on Henry. She thinks that he is trying to get out of his duty in the war. With her strong beliefs Miss Van Campen has Henry's leave terminated. This causes Henry to be sent back to the front.
