Thursday, October 7, 2010
AFTA Question 3
Chapters 4, 5, and 6 introduce Frederic’s love interest and one of Hemingway’s most critically reviled (by Feminist critics at least) characters, Catherine Barkley. What is YOUR opinion of Catherine? Does her past play at all into her behavior – and does it make a difference in how you read her? Discuss their early relationship – their motivations, their level of trust, etc. What do you predict for their future (if you KNOW and spoil it, I will NEVER EVER EVER forgive you!)
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I think that she's a girl who is still very depressed about the loss of her first love, and she feels extremely vulnerable and is looking for someone to take interest in her. Because no matter the pain you're in, there's just something special about knowing that you're still desirable and you're still wanted. I think both she and Frederic are motivated by loneliness and boredom and just want something pleasant to look to in their lives. I think Catherine needs not to look for comfort in the arms of a guy when she knows she's not even close to being over her first love, but I also don't fault her for feeling lost and looking to someone to help her feel complete again.
ReplyDeleteyes, it is a weakness perhaps on her part to look for solace solely in a man, but in this time, not so unusual probably. Hemingway had an affair with his nurse in WWI - one that ended BADLY when she ditched him for another dude. I can't help but think the portrayal of Catherine Barkley is (either purposefully or unconsciously) Hemingway getting the last laugh.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I think that Hemingway used his writing a lot to portray his own frustrations with the world and his own difficult experiences in life. I notice that in AFTA, similar to Hills Like White Elephants, there is a lot of mention of alcohol, and getting drunk for Frederic seems to be some kind of escape for him, something that makes him feel normal, and I know that Hemingway himself was an alcoholic and suffered from depression, so I definitely think he used his characters largely to reflect his own experiences.
ReplyDeleteYes, I feel like Catherine's past plays a large role in her behavior and how the audience perceives her. These chapters to me, characterized Catherine as someone who is romantically confused and desperate for attention. Catherine hungers for sympathy and comfort to get over the overwhelming emotions of her war-stricken past. I feel that it is almost as if Henry and Catherine are stars of their own soap opera/drama acting out the role of lovers; as though they a playing a game that is becoming more and more serious as their relationship ensues.
ReplyDeleteAt this point in the story, I don't quite know what to think of her. Catherine is a little bit lost, like others have said, because of her past, and she doesn't know how to go on, but she wants to. So I don't blame her for her strange behavior so far. Henry is a little bit lost with his own feelings about the war, and I think that is what brought them together. Whatever the case, knowing how the relationship begins, I can't help but expect it to end badly.
ReplyDeleteI definitely feel that Catherine's past plays a huge role in her behavior. To me, she seems a bit controlling and possessive over Frederic but I think the reason why she is like that is because she is afraid of losing him so suddenly just like how she had lost her fiancée. Also, when she got engaged, I believe that once she found out that her fiancée wanted to go to war instead of getting married, she felt worthless. So in the scene where Catherine persistently asks Frederic if he loves her, that reflects her emotions that she developed from her previous relationship. Overall, I think Catherine is still traumatized over the loss and is confused over whether she should move on and pursue Frederic or hold on to love of her past. However, because of Frederic’s playfulness towards the situation I don’t think they will have a lasting relationship.
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