Blog #2: Diction

· “The Saint hung down on the outside of my uniform” (44)

· “You’re my religion” (116)

· “did you ever know a man who tried to disable himself by kicking himself in the scrotum?” (144)

· “Our children will probably have beastly temperatures” (103)

· “…a package of cigarettes, Macedonias… The lighter was shaped like a Fiat radiator” (47)

· “hauling them back from the mountains to the clearing stations and then distributing them to the hospitals” (16)

· “Well baby… Good old baby… Take of your pants baby… I see that, baby… This is a terrible war, baby… Don’t you feel good yourself, baby?” (166-167)

In A Farewell to Arms, by Ernest Hemingway, a tone is established through the choice of diction that Hemingway uses. The tone is an unenergetic feeling that war is not as glamorous as people might think, and that the hardships endured need to be met with teamwork and companionship. In the novel, Hemingway uses informal diction throughout the scenes in order to allow the reader to establish a closer relationship with the soldiers as well as a better understanding of the people and lands of Italy. He also uses a variety of imagery in order to create the boring and lifeless environment that these soldiers live, fight, and die in. Although it is provides for a very drab environment, Hemingway does successfully create a vivid image of what the soldiers experience, and their need for friendship. In particular, Hemingway shows the brotherhood of soldiers through a man name Rinaldi, who addresses the main character as “baby” whenever Rinaldi speaks to him. This informal diction provides for an effective tone through the novel.