Code Hero - Catherine Barkley in A Farewell to Arms

CXL

  Catherine Barkley in A Farewell to Arms is not a mere appendix to men, but an extremely important figure in the novel. Catherine has a thorough understanding of life, and she spends all her life yearning for true love, which makes her life much richer and more substantial. Catherine also plays a significant role in Henry’s life. Catherine’s eager faith in life and indifference to death also encourages Henry to be a brave man. Henry doesn’t have much practice in love and life: it is Catherine who shares her comprehension with him, and leads to his final maturity. At the end of the novel, when Catherine bleeds to death in the ward, and their little child is also dead, Henry is finally awakened to the truth that he cannot rely on anyone or anything. He realizes that what he really should do is to face life bravely, and get over those difficulties and obstacles on his own. Thanks to Catherine, Henry is becoming a brave man and begins to get a clear understanding of life.

  Catherine is a responsible nurse, a considerate “wife”, and a determined and optimistic warrior. Catherine regards love as her concept of life, and she yearns for love all the time. Catherine is clearly aware of what she really cherishes, and she has a strong will to achieve it at all costs. It is her concept of life that makes her life much more substantial, instead of being over-influenced by the war. What’s more, Catherine is able to show her grace in face of all the unfortunate sufferings. People can see that Catherine always keeps positive and active attitudes towards difficulties and obstacles, and her grace under pressure in face of bad sufferings is quite impressive. Besides, Catherine has an indestructible mental outlook. The strong will and determination help Catherine to get over a lot of obstacles in her life. Thus, Catherine embodies Philip Young’s idea about Code Hero: the one shows honor, courage, and endurance in a life of tension and pain. The firmness and resolution of Catherine makes her much closer to a Code Hero.