The Symbolism of Rain in A Farewell to Arms

英语2101张媛媛

In A Farewell to Arms, Hemingway depicted rain many times, and rain in the novel conveyed the meaning that happiness will inevitably suffer destruction. Henry and Catherine's love sparked during the war, when Henry had to return to the battlefield, the rain appeared, and it symbolized the heartbroken feelings of the two lovers. In the misty rain, they all had a fear of the uncertain future. Every time when the rain fell, there would be disaster or misfortune, the cruel, cold and bloody war also continued to emerge, casting a shadow on the protagonist. Rain symbolized the harsh environment, the protagonist's intense inner struggle and pain, as well as misfortune and death, which reflected Hemingway's aversion to war and expressed his strong anti-war thoughts.