When Frederic arrives to Milan, he is told by two doctors that it will take six months to operate on his knee.

“Certainly. It’s a question of time I could not conscientiously open a knee like that before the projectile was encysted.” (84)

 He insisted on getting another opinion from Dr. Valentini, who agreed to do the surgery the next day. Frederic healed fine and was progressing well after his operation. I felt like when I read this part, it reminded me of when Paul from All Quiet, was at the hospital and the doctors were experimenting with the wounded soldiers. Waiting the six months could alter the entire book and story line drastically.

Question 1:

In Frederic’s scenario, do you believe the doctors we’re experimenting to see how he would do? Or was their argument genuine as to why he had to wait six months?

During the second portion of our reading for A Farewell To Arms, most of it is centered around when Frederic is at the hospital in Milan. Catherine is a nurse at the hospital Fredric is at, so we get more dialogue and scenes of the two and we read their relationship getting more serious. Early in the book Frederic lies when discussing with Catherine about loving her. As time goes on, he does genuinely fall in love with her. As their time in Milan progresses marriage is discussed a few times.

“We said to each other that we were married the first day she had come to the hospital, and we counted months from our wedding day. I wanted to be really married but Catherine said that if we were they would send her away and if we merely started on the formalities that they would watch her and would break us up.” (99)

I understand that there could be rules regarding relationships, but it is strange that Catherine would not want to be married even if they tried their best to keep it a secret. As we know, Catherine was previously married. Again, there decisions around marriage would alter the book, especially if Catherine were to be taken away.

Question 2:

Is Catherine concerns of getting married stemmed from her previous marriage? Did Hemingway do this strategically to show that Catherine could be afraid to marry again?

Throughout part one and two I get annoyed with Catherine’s actions. She reminds me of a young high school girl in love with a senior jock. There isn’t much context that describes how her previous marriage was but she comes off as someone who just wants to be loved. She often does any and everything that Frederic wants.

“I’ll do what you want and say what you want and then I’ll be a great success won’t I?” (92)

“I want what you want there isn’t me anymore just what you want” (92)

“Don’t you think Miss Barkley ought to go off night duty for a while? She looks awfully tired. Why does she stay on so long?” (95)

Catherine only stayed on night duty because Frederic asked her. There are many things he asked for and she does immediately.

Question 3:

How do you think her willingness to do what Frederic wants connects to her character development? Do you believe there be much growing or development at all for her in the next part?