A Farewell to Arms is an intriguing novel of a soldier, his relationship with his significant other, and his struggle to survive the grueling aspects of war. In the beginning, this soldier is introduced; his name is Lieutenant Fredric Henry. Henry starts the story by describing his current situation. He is an American soldier serving in the Italian army in World War I. He lives in a small town in which many soldiers are quartered. Henry explains how he could tell officers of higher rank by the cars that would drive by. He believes that the faster the car is going, the higher the officer's rank is. Henry is just one of many soldiers that are in the same position having to deal with war. When winter approaches, the battles begin to die down. The town in which Henry lives is struck by cholera and thousands of soldiers die. .
The next chapter begins with Henry's unit leaving the town. They are now headed towards the town of Gorizia, which is farther from the battlefront. Henry explains that Gorizia is much more enjoyable than the previous quarters. The town is not badly damaged and it also is a much more entertaining place for the soldiers. One day, Henry sits down with a group of soldiers and a priest. Because of the fact that the soldiers do not support religion, they begin to taunt and make fun of the priest. Henry, although he is not religious, treats the priest well. The conversation ends with the men arguing over where Henry should take his leave of absence. .
When Henry returns from his leave, he talks about his trip to his roommate Rinaldi. Henry tells him of his travels throughout Italy, Rinaldi interrupts and begins to tell him about a woman he fell in love with, Catherine Barkley. She is a British nurse whom has been sent to the front to help wounded soldiers. Henry gives then Rinaldi money, so he could impress Barkley and make her think he is wealthy.
The next mourning Henry is woken up by gunfire.
