Themes of A Farewell to Arms Although there are several themes in this book, one major theme seems to dominate the story. This theme is the importance of love and loss in a male-female relationship. These two lovers were so absorbed in each other that they didn't need anyone else in their lives. Wouldn't you like to go on a trip somewhere alone, darling, and be with men and ski? No. Why should I do it? I should think that sometimes you would like to see other people besides me. Do you want to see other people? No, me neither. p.297. This conversation shows that Catherine loves him so much that she is willing to be alone just so he can be happy. At the same time, Mr. Henry would probably like to go skiing but would never dream of leaving Catherine alone. Death trumps love. It's very dangerous. The nurse entered the room and closed the door. I sat outside in the hallway. Everything was gone inside me. I didn't think so. I couldn't think. I knew she was going to die and I prayed she wouldn't. Don't let her die. Oh, God, please don't let her die. I'll do anything for you if you don't let her die... p.330. Hemingway continued for an entire paragraph in which he pleaded with God. This is how he manages to show that Mr. Henry loves him more than anything, more than life itself. In a way, I think they loved each other too much. They didn't go out often or do anything with other people. They were always together. It's an unhealthy lifestyle. They created their own fortress and isolated themselves from the world. Before, my life was full of everything, I say. Now if you're not with me, I have nothing in the world. p. 257. This quote further supports the idea that they isolate themselves from the world. Because they were so cut off from the outside world, Mr. Henry found it even more difficult to return to the reality of life after his death. This theme of the isolated man and woman in love and ultimately their loss in dark death is universal. The most profound aspect of this book would be its ageless symbolism. The free-spirited, alcoholic life that Catherine and Mr. Henery shared could be compared to the investment-heavy, speculative, consequence-free life of the 1920s. The product of Catherine and Mr. Henry's lifestyle was a dead child . The result of the overinvestment of the 1920s was the Great Depression. The baby therefore symbolizes depression. Another point to consider is that Mr. Henry was a deserter. He leaves the army to join Catherine. Desertion was illegal and he paid for it by losing the one he loved most, Catherine. Rain was linked to pain or sorrow. He drank to ease this sorrow or pain. Rain is humid and humidity is linked to alcohol. We had each drunk from one of the bottles and I took my bottle with me and went and lay down on the hay and looked out of the narrow window at the damp countryside. p.217. In this scene, he thought about Cat and decided it would be best to drink his troubles away. When Hemingway said the earth was damp, it usually meant that Mr. Henry was drunk. After Catherine and the baby died in hospital, Mr. Henry walked home in the rain. After a while, I went out, left the hospital and walked back to the hotel in the rain. page 332. He had just suffered a significant loss and he had handled it the only way he knew how; by alcohol. Although drinking at this time was not mentioned directly, it can still be assumed that he was going to make this connection purely because of the rain. This book contains many examples of symbolism and they all emphasize that there is always a terrible price to pay for.