Trauma and Recovery: Interaction of Love and War in Hemingway's A Farewell to Arms

Abstract

As one of the most important literary works written by an American writer, A Farewell to Arms has been studied from the perspective of a variety of critical approaches. The present study examines this novel from the point of view of trauma studies, especially as discussed by Judith Herman. Hermann divides trauma into several types and proposes three basic steps for the healing process: immunization, recalling and mourning, and reconnecting with life. Using her ideas, this paper concludes that the protagonist of the novel goes through traumatic experiences, whose effect deeply transform his very elemental characteristics. Furthermore, it illustrates how the main character makes an attempt to reconnect with the pre-traumatic society in a doomed way. The reason is attributed to the simple fact that he has not been able to confront and accept trauma and provide a reliable narrative. The main reason for his failure is that he does not go through all the stages Herman believes a trauma survivor should go through to relieve the pain and suffering.

Keywords

• trauma
• a farewell to arms
• recalling and mourning
• and reconnecting