A Farewell to Arms · Chapter
IX explained
Frederic Henry shares a meal with his ambulance drivers, Passini, Manera, Gavuzzi, and Gordini, who openly discuss their hatred of the war and the class divisions that perpetuate it.
What happens
Frederic Henry shares a meal with his ambulance drivers, Passini, Manera, Gavuzzi, and Gordini, who openly discuss their hatred of the war and the class divisions that perpetuate it. Passini argues that war is never-ending and that defeat is no worse than continued fighting. The conversation is interrupted by a bombardment, and Frederic is wounded by a trench mortar shell. He is treated at the dressing station and evacuated by ambulance, sharing the ride with a dying soldier.
Themes in this chapter
War and Disillusionment
The chapter is dominated by the drivers' cynical and disillusioned views on war, with Passini declaring 'There is nothing worse than war' and arguing that it never truly ends.
Courage and Cowardice
The discussion of the granatieri who refused to attack and were executed, contrasting with the bersaglieri who are called 'brave' but also 'fools,' explores the complex nature of courage and discipline.
The Individual vs. The Crowd
Passini and Manera critique the ruling class and the masses who blindly follow orders, highlighting the tension between individual conscience and collective action in war.
Characters to notice
- Frederic Henry
The protagonist and narrator, a lieutenant in the Italian ambulance corps. He listens to his drivers' anti-war sentiments, is wounded by a shell, and is evacuated.
- Passini
One of Frederic's ambulance drivers. He speaks passionately against the war, arguing that it is never-ending and that defeat is not worse than continued fighting.
- Manera
An ambulance driver who participates in the anti-war discussion and jokes about the grenadiers' refusal to attack.
- Gavuzzi
An ambulance driver who asks about the attacking troops and shares the meal with Frederic.
- Gordini
The quietest of the drivers, who accompanies Frederic to the dressing station and helps carry the food back.
Key passages
“There is nothing worse than war.”
War is the worst possible thing that can happen.
Passini's core anti-war statement, reflecting the chapter's disillusionment.
“War is not won by victory.”
Victory does not truly end a war.
Passini argues that war is a cycle that cannot be resolved by simply winning battles.
“If everybody would not attack the war would be over.”
If everyone refused to fight, the war would end.
Manera's suggestion that collective refusal could stop the war.