A Farewell to Arms | Book 4, Chapter 33 | Summary

Summary

Henry drops off the train in Milan. He stops first in a coffee shop for breakfast. The proprietor seems intent on hiding Henry should he need it, although Henry refuses to give any information away. The proprietor warns him not to travel wearing his jacket, from which he has obviously removed the stars. Next Henry visits the hospital where he is greeted warmly by the porter and his wife. They tell him that Catherine left for Stresa two days ago. Finally Henry visits his friend Simmons, one of the opera students he met earlier in the novel, who lends Henry civilian clothing to aid in his escape.

Analysis

Life is dangerous for Henry as a deserter. If caught he will certainly be imprisoned for his crime and likely killed. During the war civilians were offered rewards for turning in deserters, so it is unclear whether the coffee shop proprietor's offer of safety is genuine or a ruse. Henry does not take any chances and denies having been on the front or needing help.

Now that he is on the run, Henry tries to work with a clear head. This is the first time in the novel that he has turned down alcohol. Everyone offers him a drink, but he refuses. He only takes one glass of wine from the coffee shop proprietor to avoid suspicion. Alcohol is no longer needed to escape the horrors of war, as Henry, by deserting, has escaped the horrors. Now Henry needs a clear head to stay alive in the dangerous position of a deserter.