Look over the following essay topics and prompts. Select one, or combine some, and compose a through analysis.
1. Hope vs. Hopelessness.
- Does this story provide any hope at all? Does it imply that hope is a bad thing? Does it advocate cynicism? Think of the “wise” characters. What message do they leave Henry (and us)?
- What role does love play in difficult circumstances? Is it a good thing or does it handicap us?
2. Heroism.
- There is Ettore, an Italian-American who had received numerous medals:“He was a legitimate hero who bored every one he met” (p. 124).
- What concept of heroism does Hemingway present through Henry and others?
- Could Catherine be considered a hero? What kind of hero?
- Or, does Hemingway depict Henry as an anti-hero?
3. Religion.
- Henry implies that he has no religion. The priest advocates religion under very difficult conditions and admits that he is hopeless.
- Returning to our lessons, pick a focus (culture and history, characters/character development, figurative language, plot, or themes) to provide a portrait of religion in the novel.
- Is Hemingway making a statement about the relation of religious belief to the war?
4. War.
- Is this novel a critique of war?
5. Disillusionment / Loss of innocence.
- Is this novel, in some ways, a coming of age story? Does Henry change or evolve and lose his “innocence”
- Is Henry “defeated”?
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