Hello,
This blog is prepared in response to thinking activity on the American novel 'For Whom the Bell Tolls' by Earnest Hemingway. This blog will cover couple of long critical questions from the novel.
Earnest Hemingway
Ernest Hemingway was a famous American writer born on July 21, 1899, in Illinois, USA. He won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1954. People liked his writing because it was strong and manly, and he had an exciting life that everyone knew about. His clear and straightforward way of writing had a big impact on American and British stories in the 1900s. He passed away on July 2, 1961, in Idaho.
Major Works
The Sun Also Rises (1926)
A Farewell to Arms (1929)
For Whom the Bell Tolls (1940)
The Old Man and The Sea (1952)
A Movable Feast (1964)
Islands in the Stream (1970)
Story Overview
"For Whom the Bell Tolls" is a book written by Ernest Hemingway in 1940. It's about an American teacher named Robert Jordan, who joins a group fighting against the fascists in Spain in 1937. His mission is to connect with a guerrilla group and blow up a bridge to help the good guys. The story happens in just 72 hours at the guerrilla camp. During this time, Jordan falls in love with María, who had a tough time with fascist soldiers. He also becomes friends with the smart but scared guerrilla leader Pablo and his brave wife, Pilar. Jordan succeeds in destroying the bridge, but Pablo, Pilar, María, and two other guerrillas escape. Unfortunately, Jordan gets hurt. He confesses his love to María again, ready to face the enemy troops and certain death.
Title Significance
The title "For Whom the Bell Tolls" comes from a quote in a meditation by John Donne called "Devotions upon Emergent Occasions," written in 1624. In this meditation, Donne expresses the idea that no one is completely independent, everyone is connected and part of a larger whole. The specific quote goes, "No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main... Any man's death diminishes me because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee." This reflects the interconnectedness of humanity, suggesting that when someone dies, it affects everyone. The tolling of the bell signifies that the loss is shared by all. Hemingway used this powerful idea to convey the themes of sacrifice and the shared human experience in his novel.
Critical analysis of the end part of the novel
In the end, Robert Jordan and his group manage to blow up the bridge they were supposed to destroy. However, it's not a happy ending. They lose important friends like Anselmo and Eladio during the mission, and Pablo kills five others. While escaping, Robert Jordan gets injured on his horse, making his left leg useless. Realizing he would slow down the others, he decides to stay behind. He tells the love of his life Maria to leave him and faces the enemy alone in the forest, waiting for a final confrontation.
The main character, Robert Jordan, follows a familiar pattern in Hemingway's stories, he's tough, leaves his love, and sacrifices himself for his friends. In his final moments, he thinks about his ideal man, his grandfather, and tries to prepare for death and the pain from his injury. However, he acknowledges that he doesn't handle it as well as he had hoped, showing a more human side. Robert Jordan is all by himself dealing with his pain and the fact that he's going to die. Sometimes, it seems like he's just trying to convince himself of things to make a really tough situation a bit easier for himself. It's unclear if he truly believes what he tells Maria – that they are connected and he'll live on through her – or if he just says it so she won't die with him.
At the end of the novel, Robert Jordan undergoes significant changes. He used to question feelings and signs, but now he thinks there might be more to life than just facts. He struggled between his love for Maria and his duty in the war, but in a battle, he embraces Maria, showing he can balance his emotions and responsibilities. As Robert lies on the ground, holding onto the land he loves. He feels a strong connection to nature and the old way of life. This closeness to the earth shows how much he cares about defending his country and the simple way of living.
Robert Jordan as Typical Hemingway Hero
In "For Whom the Bell Tolls," Robert Jordan is like a typical hero in Hemingway's stories. Hemingway's heroes have special qualities that make them stand out, similar to Shakespeare's heroes. These characters are successful in how they act and adjust to the events happening around them. Critics often call Hemingway a skilled writer of tragic heroes because there's a sense of pessimism in his stories. He has a unique way of writing that creates his own style of fiction. Hemingway's stories are known for his heroes facing challenges and not succeeding in the end. Characters like Santiago in "The Old Man and the Sea," Romero in "The Sun Also Rises," and Jordan in "For Whom the Bell Tolls" are good examples of this. They go through tough times and don't achieve what they hoped for in the end.
Robert Jordan as Tragic Hero
In a play or novel, a tragic hero is someone who achieves greatness but ends up paying a personal cost. The tragic death of the hero turns the story into a tragedy, and it's the hero's death that makes the tragedy powerful. The hero does everything for the good of the public and sacrifices himself for his mission. When the hero dies, readers feel sympathy and respect. The impact of the tragedy depends on how big the hero's goal is – the larger the goal, the more significant the tragedy.
In "For Whom the Bell Tolls," Robert Jordan is a character who fights for a cause in a foreign land. He strongly supports the Republican side because he cares deeply for Spain. He believes that if fascists take control of Spain, it would harm the country's future and ruin it. Additionally, he thinks that, despite its imperfections, a republican government is better than a totalitarian one because living under fascism makes individuals feel restricted and suffocated.
This novel is written to test the strength of Jordan's ideals, and the obstacles he faces make up the main story. As the story unfolds, Jordan's mission becomes more complicated. Pablo strongly opposes Jordan's plan, finding it impossible to execute as it would harm the land. Hemingway's heroes are known for their bravery, and Jordan is no exception. He fearlessly takes on the risky task of blowing up the bridge. Hemingway's heroes, like Santiago in "The Old Man and the Sea," Jake Barnes in "The Sun Also Rises," Frederic Henry in "A Farewell to Arms," and Jordan in "For Whom the Bell Tolls," are always willing to face challenges and risks.
Robert Jordan is a character who doesn't worry about his own safety. He willingly takes on the risky task of blowing up the bridge with courage and never shows any fear. Despite General Golz warning him about the tough job, he promises to complete it on time. Despite Pablo's efforts to create obstacles, Pilar's support helps balance the situation. Some critics thought Jordan's love for Maria might hinder his mission, but he doesn't let it bother him. Over time, we see that his love for Maria actually strengthens his determination. He keeps his roles as a lover and a dynamiter separate, although towards the end, they start to blend together.
Critics View: Some critics criticize Jordan, saying he seems unrealistic at times. However, Hemingway's skill in creating characters makes Jordan believable and someone others can look up to. These objections don't last long when we realize that Jordan is fighting against abstract concepts like liberty, equality, people's rights, democracy, and the cruel actions of the fascists.
Actually, he is fervently devoted to his beliefs and fights for a non-religious ideal. A well-known critic rightly mentioned, "He dies for the American dream." He sacrifices for all the underprivileged people globally. It's undeniable that his principles are worth following for people around the world. He stands up for ideas that make sense to most sensible individuals.
Some critics might see Robert Jordan's love for Maria as a flaw, thinking it makes him weaker. However, it's actually a very human quality. His love for Maria is sincere and deep, not like someone who drinks a lot or pursues many relationships. He genuinely wants to be in her heart forever. He shares his philosophy of love with Pilar, saying he loves the good things in life and would only die if absolutely necessary. His love for Maria makes him more passionate about his mission. He's aware of the suffering in the Spanish civil war, especially Maria's terrible experience with the fascists, which motivates him to teach them a lesson by blowing up an important bridge. Elsardo's death affects him deeply, reminding him of the other losses in the war, making him feel very sad and gloomy.
After Maria enters his life, Robert Jordan undergoes a transformation and starts living solely for her. However, it doesn't mean he forgets his sense of duty. His love for Maria and his dangerous mission to blow up the bridge become intertwined because the fascists, by raping Maria, turn his personal feelings into a drive for revenge. This mindset pushes him further into his fight for the Republicans and Republic Spain, with Maria becoming a crucial part of his cause.
Wordcount: 1634
Images used: 2
Refer to this video for further understanding.
Reference
- Pfeiffer, Lee. “For Whom the Bell Tolls | Novel by Hemingway, Summary, & Facts.” Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/topic/For-Whom-the-Bell-Tolls-novel-by-Hemingway. Accessed 25 January 2024.
Thank you.
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