Lieutenant Henry's Moment Of Illumination
Lieutenant Henry’s Moment of Illumination
Stephanie tries on her first pair of glasses. Before now, her view of the world has been blurry, but as she puts her new glasses on, everything becomes crystal clear. Just like Stephanie’s sudden clarity, an illuminating moment is when one makes an important realization that changes one’s perspective, or makes one question one’s priorities. A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway’s main character Lieutenant Frederic Henry has an illuminating moment while in the river after leaving the army forever. This realization opens the door for Henry to live the life he truly wants to live, and not to only go through the motions doing something he does not love. He sees that Catherine is who he wants to …show more content…
Lieutenant Henry realizes that the war was never something that he enjoyed doing, nor is it his priority. He thinks to himself that, “anger was washed away in the river along with any obligation” (232). Henry doesn’t feel the sense of commitment that others in the war do. For example, when he talks to Gino, he cannot identify with the pride this young man feels for his country. He listens to him speak about words such as glory, honor, and courage, and they don’t mean anything to him. He hears Ettore Moretti talk about his accomplishments and awards, and does not feel that same pride. Instead, he feels only indifference. When other ambulance drivers talk about how Italy should withdraw from the war, he does not defend the country he is fighting for. He is an American, and when asked why he isn’t fighting for America, he doesn’t know the answer. The pride and glory that so many of the other men have is lacking in Lieutenant Henry. Throughout the book, he remains unfeeling and cold about the war. He doesn’t pick a side, but simply goes through the motions. After his illuminating moment, it was clear that his purpose in life was not to be out on the front
Stephanie tries on her first pair of glasses. Before now, her view of the world has been blurry, but as she puts her new glasses on, everything becomes crystal clear. Just like Stephanie’s sudden clarity, an illuminating moment is when one makes an important realization that changes one’s perspective, or makes one question one’s priorities. A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway’s main character Lieutenant Frederic Henry has an illuminating moment while in the river after leaving the army forever. This realization opens the door for Henry to live the life he truly wants to live, and not to only go through the motions doing something he does not love. He sees that Catherine is who he wants to …show more content…
Lieutenant Henry realizes that the war was never something that he enjoyed doing, nor is it his priority. He thinks to himself that, “anger was washed away in the river along with any obligation” (232). Henry doesn’t feel the sense of commitment that others in the war do. For example, when he talks to Gino, he cannot identify with the pride this young man feels for his country. He listens to him speak about words such as glory, honor, and courage, and they don’t mean anything to him. He hears Ettore Moretti talk about his accomplishments and awards, and does not feel that same pride. Instead, he feels only indifference. When other ambulance drivers talk about how Italy should withdraw from the war, he does not defend the country he is fighting for. He is an American, and when asked why he isn’t fighting for America, he doesn’t know the answer. The pride and glory that so many of the other men have is lacking in Lieutenant Henry. Throughout the book, he remains unfeeling and cold about the war. He doesn’t pick a side, but simply goes through the motions. After his illuminating moment, it was clear that his purpose in life was not to be out on the front