One of the primary lessons is to be prepared and expect the unexpected. Many instances in

the novel support this idea. For instance, the main character, Frederic Henry, never dreams

that he will fall in love with Catherine Barkley. At first, he only wishes to use her and take

advantage of her situation, but later, he begins to look past his lustful desires and truly love

Catherine. The irony that Hemingway uses sets the tone for the many unexpected events.

At the beginning of the novel when Catherine and Frederic first meet, Frederic

makes it very clear that he does not intend to fall in love with her. He says plainly that he

does not love her and he has no intention to. He is only playing a game with her,

prepare ourselves for anything. The shock of reality is sometimes too overwhelming for the

another toll on Frederic. He watches as friend is cruelly shot by a sniper and he barely

depression. He sees everything that he lives for, the love of his life, die in his arms. He

believes that he is merely an ambulance driver and the war can never affect him

Another example of an unexpected event is when Frederic is injured. Frederic

average soul and Hemingway demonstrates this by telling us to never underestimate the

(Hemingway 18). But in all honesty, the brutal effects of war hit Frederic hard in two

Some common words found in the essay are:
Catherine Frederic, Frederic Catherine, Catherine Barkley, Farewell Arms, Frederic Henry, , fall love, expect unexpected, frederic catherine, love catherine,
Approximate Word count = 543
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)