Abstract: A Farewell to Arms is one of the masterpieces of Ernest Hemingway, the well-known American writer. In the novel, the writer used abundant symbols：mountain and plain, rain and snow, all carried on their specific symbolic meanings or indications, which were presented by the author in sharp contrast and helped to deepen the implied theme: life was a tragedy during the war, everything was destroyed by war. The use of symbolism in the novel is not by accident but out of intention from the author. The writer of this thesis will focus on the discussion of symbolism of rain in Ernest Hemingway’s A farewell to Arms.
Introduction 1
1. Background Information about the Author and the Novel 2
1.1 Brief Introduction of the Author and His Writing Styles 2
1.2 Brief Introduction of the Novel 3
1.2.1 Background of the Novel 3
1.2.2 Story Outline 4
1.2.3 The Critics on the Novel in General 4
1.3 Major Themes of the Novel 5
1.3.1 Love as a Response to the Horrors of War and the World 5
1.3.2 Grace under Pressure and the Hemingway Hero 6
1.3.3 Abandonment 7
1.3.4 Journalistic Style of Omission 7
2. An Analysis of the Symbolism of Rain in the Novel 8
2.1 General Introduction of Symbolism 8
2.2The Symbolism of Rain in the Novel 10
2.2.1 Rain Indicates Death and Separation 10
2.2.2 Rain Indicates the Cheerful Mood 12
2.2.3 Rain Represents the Forthcoming Disaster 12
2.2.4 Rain Substitutes for the Emotional Feeling 13
3. The Function of Symbolism in this Novel 13
4. Overall Comment on the Symbolism in this Novel 15
5. Conclusion 15
Bibliography 17
