A farewell to arms (PART 4)

Summary

In these part, Frederic Henry completely breaks away from the war. During the chaotic retreat, he is seized by Italian military police who accuse officers of treason and execute them without proper trials. Realizing he will be killed, Frederic escapes by jumping into a river and swimming to safety. This moment symbolizes his final rejection of the war and its meaningless authority. He discards his uniform and travels as a civilian, feeling exhausted, detached, and spiritually numb. Frederic makes his way back to Milan to find Catherine Barkley, but learns she has been transferred to Switzerland. Determined to be with her, he sets out to reunite with Catherine, choosing personal love and survival over patriotic duty. These chapters emphasize themes of alienation, disillusionment, and the individual’s struggle to find meaning in a violent, indifferent world.