The Sociological approach to Critical Theory focuses on the social contexts and environments that must be considered when analyzing a literary text. This theory focuses on how values and characteristics of a society are reflected into a text, and emphasizes economic and social conditions of a certain time. A Farewell to Arms takes place during World War 1 and was written in the years leading to World War, with the themes of the book very clearly reflecting the social contexts of this time. Times of war promote new ideas and advance public opinions, usually inspiring art. Although this novel was not written as a critique or to make a statement, Hemingway makes brief commentaries that uphold the general societal beliefs of his time. The overall dark and discouraged views that defined society during the late 1920’s are echoed in the underlying themes of Hemingway’s commentary.
Most of the societal themes being reflected in the book are not through Hemingway’s intentional commentary, but simply in the way he tells the story of Henry and Catherine. The couple allows their relationship to be defined by the war for the majority of the book, being seperated by it and being each other’s escape from it, much like most relationships during this time. Upon first meeting, both Henry and Catherine’s lives have been plagued by the war. Henry feels stuck fighting for a cause he doesn’t believe in or necessarily care about, not realizing the effects of the war or the extent of them. On the other hand, Catherine is familiar with the consequences of war, as she lost her fiancée to it. By portraying predominantly negative outcomes of the war, Hemingway includes characteristics of his society and the disapproval of the war. While separated due to the war, all Henry “wanted was to see Catherine” (Hemingway 232). Although he valued his love for Catherine more than the war that he was indifferent to, it still limited their interaction. Hemingway made Henry and Catherine’s relationship a representation of the societal norm that the war dominated everyone’s lives, even when it shouldn’t have. Throughout the book, Henry starts to realize that his relationship is more meaningful to him than his empty commitment to the war. Henry’s actions reflected the disapproval of the war, with Hemingway portraying his abandonment for Catherine as heroic. Hemingway praised Henry for abandoning his loyalty to the war effort, diminishing the importance of it.
A Farewell to Arms 