Examining the Novel

In most cases, writers create novels by using a specific pattern to develop the storyline and figure out the flow of the novel. Narratives are thus divided into five distinct sections: exposition, escalating action, climax, falling action, and finally dénouement (Krupp). This method of writing means that authors not only arrange their impressions but also identify the different aspects of the drama. The exposition introduces the subject and context information; the rising action involves incidents that lead up to the first point of interest, and the climax represents the turning point. Afterward, the falling action involves the cooldown of happenings and lastly, the dénouement the end of the narrative which may be favorable or unfavorable to the protagonist (Socialpolitan). Ernest Hemingway utilizes each of the steps in narrative structure to bring out the plot as well as the development, plan, and ending of his novel A Farewell to Arms (Rosemary Institution).

Divided into five books, the first part is composed of the exposition which introduces the reader to the story such as the overview of characters including the protagonist Lieutenant Frederic Henry as well as another principle character Catherine Barkley. The reader is introduced to these characters including their attributes, for instance, Lieutenant Henry is a soldier who participated in World War I under the Italian Navy while Catherine is a British volunteer Nurse who offered her skills in the war (Walker 4). Although the particular theme is not brought out, other central elements such as war scenery, Frederic’s injury and hospitalization and the budding evidence of a possible affair between him and Catherine are illustrated, preparing the reader to the next section.

The second book continues from the first, and it marks the utilization of the rising action narrative tool. Here, Frederic and Catherine’s relationship heightens and the two fall in love. However, things progress to the apex of the story as Frederic is sent back to the front leaving a three month pregnant Catherine behind. The escalation of this adverse occurrence coupled with the level of suspense takes the readers towards the climax. In the third book, Hemingway employs the climax approach by describing the turning point of the happenings. Frederic returns to his unit whose moral is diminished. They get lost in a battle and eventually kills a sergeant due to insubordination. Upon realizing that his life is in danger for supposed treachery that caused the Italian defeat, Frederic escapes to Milan and discovers that Catherine transferred to Stresa (Walker 19). This turn of events, therefore, shows the application of the climax approach in this novel.

The fourth book outlines the reunification of Frederic and Catherine who stay in Stresa for a short while before they both flee to Switzerland by boat to avoid being arrested. Upon arrival, the Swiss authority interrogates them and eventually allow them to stay in the country. The shift from the throbbing, restless, fear of the unknown and fast moving climax, the fourth section slowly spirals down systematically to an almost calm situation. The main adverse events and challenges are overcome, an indicator of the application of the falling action approach in this part. Finally, the author employs dénouement to conclude the story where the two lovers Frederic and Catherine live quietly in the mountains where the outcome is unfavourable since both the Catherine and the child die, leaving Frederic alone (Walker 34). As such, the author employs a tragic dénouement to culminate the plot of this novel.

Works Cited

Krupp, Brenda. “Freytag’s Pyramid.” PAWLP Summer Institute 2016, 28 June 2016, https://sites.google.com/site/pawlpsummerinstitute2016/narratives/freytagspyramid. Accessed 13 August 2017.

Rosemary Institution. “Ernest Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms: Summary & Analysis.” Schoolworkhelper, 2016, https://schoolworkhelper.net/ernest-hemingway%E2%80%99s-a-farewell-to-arms-summary-analysis/. Accessed 13 August 2017.

Socialpolitan. “Analyzing a Story’s Plot: Freytag’s Pyramid.” Socialpolitan, 25 December 2016, https://freeclassicshortstories.blogspot.co.ke/2016/12/analyzing-storys-plot-freytags-pyramid.html. 13 August 2017.

Walker, Ross. Ernest Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms. St. Kilda: Insight Publications, 2012.