The Road To Becoming A Code Hero: A Frederick Henry Story
The Road To Being A Code Hero: A Frederick Henry Story Life and death; these are the only elements important to a code hero. But a code hero is not just born into the world; a code hero develops these traits through the interactions with the people around them. In the novel, Frederick Henry slowly evolves into a code hero. First entering the war, Henry cared for nothing, he drank and slept with women, where at the end of the novel he has gone through a metamorphosis; Henry lives his life to the fullest because he knows death is unbiased and can take anyone at any time. He develops friendships that help shape who he becomes. Through his interactions with these people, Henry learns important code hero traits. In Hemingway’s novel,_ A Farewell to Arms_, the minor characters of the priest, Rinaldi, and Count Greffi aid in determining Henry’s development as a code hero. The priest’s interactions help to establish the importance of life to Henry. Already a code hero, the priest tries to show Henry how to live his life. Looking back, Henry realizes that the priest was trying to help him: “[the priest] had always known what I did not know and what, when I learned it, I was always able to forget. But I did not know that then, although I learned it later” (14). Henry is so busy with the vices of women and alcohol that he is blind to the priest’s recommendation to go to Abruzzi and have a meaningful leave. He doesn’t live for a purpose, he lives because he is there; no cause, no justification. Once Henry finds meaning to life, the priest’s inspiration will begin to show in the way Henry lives his life. After wounding his leg on the front, Henry realizes that life is short and the priest suggests finding something to live for: “When you love you wish to do things for. You wish to sacrifice for. You wish to serve” (72). The priest is suggesting that Henry follow his footsteps and live a devout life serving God. The priest’s love for God foreshadows Henry’s love for Catherine....
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