Blog #3: Syntax
· “I want her to” “You do not” “I’ll make her” “I don’t believe it” (109)
· “’No,’ I lied” (105)
· “(He probed – Does that hurt? – Christ, yes!)” (59)
· “They’ll shell the ––– out of us” (47)
· “We’d better finish dinner.” “No. Go away.” “Fergy, be reasonable.” (248)
· “You saw the flash, then heard the crack, then saw the smoke ball distort and thin in the wind” (185)
· “Oh you’re a lovely girl.” “I’m a very simple girl.” (154)
In A Farewell to Arms, Ernest Hemingway uses different types of syntax in order to support multiple examples of tone and style. Specifically, Hemingway establishes a militaristic and domineering tone by using terse and often rude lines of dialect between soldiers of different rank. However, Hemingway also finds it necessary to censor the soldiers who are talking to the officers, as to create a tone of respect for higher-ranking officers. Hemingway also applies this example of syntax in order to show the simplicity of the love between Lieutenant Henry, the main character, and Catherine, a British nurse. On the other hand, Hemingway also uses long, often pedantic, run-on descriptions of scenery such as rivers. This application of syntax creates a style that is unique to Hemingway, which allows the reader to quite accurately imagine the scenery that the soldiers are experiencing. Hoverer, this dull and tedious style often turns the reader off and affects the novel in a negative fashion. Hemingway also utilizes parentheses and other devices in order to simultaneously express the inner monologues of the main character and the emotions of those monologues.
Hemingway’s use of mixed syntax allows the reader to follow what is going on in the novel. Short, terse syntax is used most often for dialect between officers, while the longer, run-on sentences are used to describe the setting or the scene where something takes place. As you mentioned, Hemingway establishes a militaristic tone when he uses abrupt lines of dialect. This is best shown through soldiers talking amongst themselves on and off the battlefield and between officers of different rank. Hemingway chooses to omit the most vulgar words used so as to create a tone of respect. While the extended descriptions may get boring and dull after awhile, Hemingway uses this style of writing for a reason. It allows the reader to vicariously live through World War I.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your statement that Hemingway's use of syntax contributes to his unique style. He uses both brief as well as lengthy sentences to create an ultimately descriptive tone. This tone allows the reader to be put in the shoes of the soldiers in the novel and experience the events through their eyes. I also agree that this style may seem tedious and repetitive at times. As for myself, I was at first overcome by the extravagance of Hemingway's use of syntax to create imagery, but soon it gave me a feeling of lethargy and I felt as though I was reading the same passage over and over again.
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