Comprehension Questions - A Farewell to Arms

Study Notes

Comprehension Questions - A Farewell to Arms

Setting: Where and when does the story take place?
Narrator: Who is the narrator and what is his role?
Rinaldi: Identify Rinaldi and describe his character. What is his relationship with Frederick Henry and a priest?
Miss Barkley: Rinaldi talks about Miss Barkley. How does Frederick Henry get involved with her?
Catherine Barkley: Describe Frederick Henry's relationship with Catherine in the initial chapters. What kind of woman is she?
Chapter 7 Incident: What is the significance of the incident involving the wounded soldier in chapter 7?
Frederick Henry's thoughts on War: Frederick Henry says, "Well, I knew I would not be killed. Not in this war." What was his reasoning?
Drinking Contest: Why does Frederick Henry give up the drinking contest?
Gift from Miss Barkley: What did Miss Barkley give to Frederick Henry before he went into battle?
Worse than War: What did Frederick Henry say was worse than war?
War Ending: What did Passini say about ending the war?
Lt. Henry's Wound: Under what circumstances was Lt. Henry wounded?
Location of Lt. Henry's Wound: Where was Lt. Henry wounded?
Hospital Visit: When Rinaldi visits Frederick Henry at the hospital, what does he do? Describe Henry's reaction.
Rinaldi's Observation: What observation did Rinaldi make about himself and Frederick Henry?
Priest's Visit: What did the priest bring to Frederick Henry in the hospital?
Relationship with Priest: Describe Frederick Henry's relationship with the priest.
Lt. Henry's Hospital Transfer: Where was Lt. Henry transferred to after his first hospitalization?
Female Characters Comparison: Compare and contrast Miss Gage, Mrs. Walker, and Mrs. Van Campen.
Catherine's Location: Why was Catherine in Milan?
Frederick's Feelings for Catherine: What did Frederick Henry discover about his feelings for Catherine?
Doctors Comparison: Compare and contrast the house doctor with Dr. Valentini.
Catherine's Night Duty: Why did Catherine take three nights off of night duty?
Catherine's Marriage Response: Why does Frederick Henry want to marry Catherine? What is her response?
Catherine's Dislike: Why doesn't Catherine like Ettore?
Catherine's Fear: Why is Catherine afraid of rain?
Horse Bet: Frederick and Catherine bet on a horse. Why?
Catherine's Illness: What is the matter with Catherine?
Coward/Brave: According to Frederick and Catherine, what is the difference between a coward and a brave person?
Convalescent Leave: Why didn't Frederick go on convalescent leave?
Last Evening Together: Describe the last evening Frederick Henry and Catherine have before he returns to duty.
Parting: Describe the parting of Frederick and Catherine as he leaves in the carriage?
Catherine's Feelings: How does Catherine feel as she and Frederick part?
Major's Change: How has the major changed since Lt. Henry saw him last?
Priest's Change: How has the priest changed since Lt. Henry saw him last? How is he the same?
Rinaldi's Observation on Henry: Rinaldi observes that Lt. Henry is acting differently. How does Rinaldi describe Henry's actions?
Henry's Words: Frederick Henry says, "I was always embarrassed by the words sacred, glorious, and sacrifice and the expression in vain." Why did he feel that way?
Words with Dignity: Frederick Henry says that only certain words have dignity. What words are they?
Group Attack: One group was attacking and Lt. Henry said their name was something to be frightened of. What group was he describing?
Unit Separation: How do Frederick Henry, Bonello, Piani, and Aymo get separated from the rest of their unit?
Leaving Main Road: Why did they leave the main road?
Sergeant Shooting: Why did Lt. Henry shoot the sergeant?
Aymo's Fate: What happened to Aymo?
Bonello's Fate: What happened to Bonello?
River Jump: Why did Frederick Henry jump into the river?
River Jump Symbolic Meaning: What could his jumping into the river signify symbolically?
Switzerland Desire: Why does Henry want to go to Switzerland?
Meeting in Switzerland: Where does Frederick Henry meet up with Catherine?
Hotel Departure: Why do Frederick and Catherine leave the hotel in the middle of the night?
Escape to Switzerland: How do Frederick and Catherine escape to Switzerland?
Arrest in Switzerland: What happened when Frederick and Catherine were arrested in Switzerland?
Marriage Decision: Why doesn't Catherine want to get married once they are situated in Switzerland?
Beer for Catherine: Why did the doctor say beer would be good for Catherine?
Swiss Mountains: What did Catherine and Frederick do in the Swiss mountains?
Moving to Lausanne: Why did they move out of the mountains to Lausanne?
Catherine's Delivery: What went wrong with Catherine's delivery?
Catherine's Death: How did Catherine die?