heroarms A Comparison of Code Heroes of A Farewell to...

The Code Heroes of A Farewell to Arms and For Whom the Bell Tolls In Ernest Hemingways fiction, there is something known as the Hemingway Hero. This term is usually applied to the male protagonist in his works. The Hemingway hero illustrates a variety of traits, ranging from heavy drinking to his role as a leader among the characters with whom he interacts. Traits of this hero also resemble the personal characteristics of Hemingway himself, and the hero usually finds himself in similar predicaments Hemingway faced in his life. Two Hemingway heroes, Robert Jordan from For Whom the Bell Tolls and Frederic Henry from A Farewell to Arms, exhibit the traits established in Hemingways heroic code. Given the presence of war in†¦show more content†¦While Frederic Henry and Robert Jordan do not exemplify the complete list of traits making up Hemingways heroic code, each man displays at least several of the heroic characteristics. Robert Jordan conducts himself in a very disciplined manner, keeping his primary objective in mind whereas Frederic Henrys agenda focuses on personal events rather than the war itself. Both Jordan and Henry display very macho characteristics and prove that they are capable leaders at the same time. Each man has a love for alcohol and drinks casually throughout each novel. Robert Jordan and Frederic Henry show signs that they do not believe in the afterlife and that they try to live life to the fullest as well. Perhaps the most reoccurring trait of the Hemingway hero is his love for alcohol and his continuous drinking throughout the novel. Whether the occasion is serious or casual, the reader often witnesses Frederic Henry or Robert Jordan enjoying a drink. One instance comes when Robert Jordan eats with his comrades. He muses over the wine he is drinking, thinking but [wine] does not curl around inside you the way absinthe does... there is nothing like absinthe (For Whom the Bell Tolls, 204) . This series of thoughts by Robert Jordan shows that he enjoys drinking alcohol because of its relaxing qualities; however, he exhibits moderation in his drinking because his judgment never falters and he always appears to be alert.