<em>A Farewell to Arms</em> is a novel that is primarily concerned with war. However, the reactions to the war, both from the authors and from the characters, vary greatly. Most of the characters in the novel are ambivalent about the war. They either care very little about it, they are angry about the destruction or doubtful about the things they will obtain if they win. However, there are some characters that support the war. These characters are naive, not very clever or too immature. This indicates that Hemingway did not strongly support the war either.
Against this backdrop of war, Hemingway discusses the idea of love. Particularly, "true love." Henry and Catherine are able to escape the war, and find solace, in each other. The love, however, takes on the role of distraction and of life-giving power. Finally, it also takes on the role of refuge and salvation, even if just a temporary one.
