A Farewell to Arms
Ernest Hemingway

TESTS AND ANSWERS TEST 1

_____ 1. The novel depicts Frederic Henry as a soldier

A. inspired by patriotism
B. indifferent to the suffering of others
C. disillusioned by his war experiences

A. He shows courage in the face of danger and suffering
B. He is bound by devotion and a sense of duty
C. He is more a man of the flesh than of the spirit

A. his avoidance of giving reasons for or consequences of his characters' actions
B. his tendency to conceal his meaning in cryptic discussions
C. his omission of the identity of the speaker in presenting dialogue

A. end of fighting
B. critical lack of supplies
C. inability to act

_____ 5. The character whose views are most clearly contrasted with the priest's is

A. Count Greffi
B. Rinaldi
C. Meyers

A. mountains
B. snow
C. rain

A. Frederic and Catherine's first meeting
B. the disastrous retreat of the army
C. the battle where Frederic is wounded

A. ambulance driver
B. medical surgeon
C. British infantry officer

A. He is a deserter
B. He marries Catherine
C. He returns to the front after his wound heals

A. endangers his life
B. saves his life
C. helps him to win a medal for bravery

11. When they were first published, many famous novels were considered subversive (tending to overthrow established values). Discuss whether or not you consider A Farewell to Arms subversive. If so, in what respects? If not, why not?

12. T.S. Eliot in his "Four Quartets" wrote, "Humankind cannot bear very much reality." Discuss how this statement relates to a theme in A Farewell to Arms.

13. Some writers believe people can be good and happy only when they accept the basic code of their society; others take the stance that society invariably conspires against individuality, happiness, and goodness. Comment on this statement in relation to A Farewell to Arms.

14. One of the basic themes in literature is the attainment of self-knowledge: a character's recognition of his strengths and weaknesses, hopes and fears, beliefs and superstitions. Often this self-knowledge occurs after the character has undergone a shocking experience that makes him see his world in a new light. Show how Hemingway deals with this theme in A Farewell to Arms. Refer to events, setting, or symbols only as they relate to this theme. Show that you know what the self-knowledge is. -

15. Storytellers of the past are better than storytellers of today at dealing with the great themes: the place of suffering in life, the conflict between the individual and society, the extent and nature of a person's moral and ethical responsibility, a person's examination of the truth about himself.

Considering Hemingway as either a past writer or a writer of today (he is both; Farewell is over fifty years old yet still modern), defend your agreement or disagreement with the statement. Compare A Farewell to Arms with another novel. Limit yourself to each author's handling of one theme.

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