# XXII explained — A Farewell to Arms

> Chapter companion for A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway.

## What happens

Frederic Henry falls ill with jaundice and is bedridden for two weeks, losing his planned convalescent leave with Catherine. Miss Van Campen discovers empty liquor bottles in his room and accuses him of self-inflicted alcoholism to avoid returning to the front, leading to a tense confrontation. Despite Miss Gage's efforts to help, Frederic loses his leave.

## Themes in this chapter

### Escape and Retreat

Frederic's jaundice and the lost leave symbolize a failed attempt to escape the war, while Miss Van Campen's accusation highlights the tension between duty and self-preservation.

### War and Disillusionment

The confrontation with Miss Van Campen reflects the disillusionment with military authority and the absurdity of war's bureaucratic cruelty.

## Character check-ins

### Frederic Henry

Narrator and protagonist, sick with jaundice, confronts Miss Van Campen about the empty bottles.

### Miss Gage

Nurse who helps Frederic by trying to hide the bottles and defends him against Miss Van Campen.

### Miss Van Campen

Supervisor nurse who discovers the bottles, accuses Frederic of self-inflicted jaundice, and reports him.

## Key lines

> I was sick for two weeks with it. For that reason we did not spend a convalescent leave together.

Frederic's jaundice prevented him and Catherine from taking their planned leave together.

_Highlights the lost opportunity for escape and connection._

> I suppose you can’t be blamed for not wanting to go back to the front. But I should think you would try something more intelligent than producing jaundice with alcoholism.

Miss Van Campen accuses Frederic of deliberately causing his jaundice through drinking to avoid returning to combat.

_Illustrates the theme of war and disillusionment with authority._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_farewell_to_arms_se/chapters/xxii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_farewell_to_arms_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_farewell_to_arms_se/chapters