n his own life. It is not until he is wounded in battle, and gets to know and love Catherine, that he matures into a person who is capable of finding meaning in life. HenryÆs attitude toward Catherine mirrors his attitude toward the war he is in. Hemingway never states exactly why Henry joined the Italian Army; he had no particular hatred of the Austrians who the Italians were fighting, and no strong feelings of patriotism. War, like women, is just another exciting game for Henry until he is wounded and the idea of his death takes hold of him.
In conversations with Rinaldi and a priest, Henry comes to grips with the true nature of the war and of life. Rinaldi warns Henry that love is an illusion that Henry should not pursue, insisting th
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