A Farewell to Arms

Frederic wakes at the field hospital, and his first guest is Rinaldi, who greets him with a kiss and with cognac. Rinaldi immediately questions Frederic about what happened and is eager to see that he is awarded a metal for his actions, despite Frederic insisting that he did nothing heroic. Rinaldi discusses how he is becoming a better surgeon due to all the experience he gets treating soldiers during the offensive. Frederick asks about the women in the brothels at Gorizia, and Rinaldi is disappointed that they are all the same women as before. Rinaldi teases Frederic about Catherine, the “lovely cool goddess” (57).

Next to visit Frederic is the priest. He comes at dusk and immediately says he can’t stay long. The priest is repeatedly described as looking "tired" (60). He has brought him mosquito netting, vermouth, and English newspapers. They share their feelings about the war. The priest tells him he hates the war and that Frederic cannot truly see how awful it is. He sees people as divided into those who want war and those who do not but are forced into it by the first group.

The priest then discusses his desire to return to his hometown, Abruzzi, where he can love God.