THE IMPACT OF WAR: A PSYCHOANALYTICAL STUDY OF ERNEST HEMINGWAY'S A FAREWELL TO ARMS

Set against the backdrop of World War I, Ernest Hemingway's novel A Farewell to Arms explores the devastating effects of war on people and society. The novel traces the psychological trauma endured by soldiers, the erosion of innocence, and the dehumanizing impact of mechanized violence. Frederic Henry, the protagonist, exhibits symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and struggles to sustain meaningful relationships. Hemingway’s terse prose reveals the brutal realities of war injuries, deaths, and constant fear, while simultaneously exposing the alienation and existential disillusionment that follow combat. The novel dismantles romanticized ideals of war and critiques propaganda through Henry’s personal experiences. Beyond the battlefield, Hemingway emphasizes the futility of conflict and the fragility of human bonds in the face of destruction. This paper undertakes a psychoanalytical study of the novel, examining how trauma, alienation, and love are represented within the war-torn world.