Hello readers, I'm writing this blog as an Assignment on Paper number 108 (The American Literature ) assigned by Professor Dr. Dilip Barad sir, Head of the Department of English, Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University.
Name: Gayatri Nimavat
Paper: 108 (The American Literature )
Roll no: 06
Enrollment no: 4069206420220019
Email ID: gayatrinimavat128@gmail.com
Batch: 2022-24 (MA Semester - 2)
Submitted to: S. B. Gardi Department of English,Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University
Character, Thematic and symbolic analysis of 'For Whom the Bell Tolls'
"Ask not for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee". - John Donne
Character Analysis:
Robert Jordan:
Jordan is the protagonist of the novel, an American who has come to Spain to fight for the Republican cause.
In the opening pages of For Whom the Bell Tolls, Robert Jordan begins his new assignment pondering the example of Kashkin, his predecessor in the partisan work with Pablo's guerrilla band. Trying to determine what had been Kashkin's flaw, he recognizes that it had been primarily a matter of language: Kashkin had talked too much of death and suicide. "You can't have people around doing this sort of work and talking like that," he concludes. "That is no way to talk. Even if they accomplish their mission they are doing more harm than good, talking that kind of stuff." With such a comment, Robert Jordan demonstrates an awareness of the power of language which pervades not only the Spanish Civil War novel but Hemingway's work in its entirety, from the earliest stories to the last memoirs, in the fictional worlds of his characters and in the semi-legendary world of his own self-creation. For Hemingway and his characters must be seen as they are concerned, even obsessed, with language magic- with the tendency to presume necessary connections between words and things or actions and to assume control over events and feelings by the power of words. Whether this tendency is to be interpreted as a psychological aberration or, more probably, as a cultural pattern viewed anthropologically, it is central to the way in which Heming- way's world can be comprehended. (STEPHENS)
Robert Jordan of For Whom the Bell Tolls has learned some valuable lessons from the experiences of his earlier counterparts. He knows that a man cannot make it alone, and as a university teacher, Jordan knows the meaning of being involved with humanity. He believes that the Spanish Civil War provides the most meaningful way to serve mankind, thus giving him a cause other and greater than himself. The epigraph from John Donne restates, most poetically, Morgan's dying utterance and stands as a capsule statement of the philosophy which motivates and directs Robert Jordan. He volunteers his services to the Republican cause and works as a demolition expert behind enemy lines. Robert Jordan is set to participate in a team. effort, reminded by General Golz that "Merely to blow the bridge is a failure..... To blow the bridge at a stated hour based on the time set for the attack is how it should be done."1 His act of demolition must be coordinated with the actions of other men. (ELLIOTT)
Jordan is a passionate believer in the cause and is deeply committed to the ideals of freedom and justice. He is a skilled explosives expert and is tasked with blowing up a bridge behind enemy lines. Jordan is brave, resourceful, and has a strong sense of duty.
Maria:
Maria is a young Spanish woman who has been tortured and raped by the Fascists. Jordan meets her when he is assigned to work with a guerrilla band in the mountains, and the two fall in love. Maria is a damaged character, haunted by her past and struggling to come to terms with her trauma. She is deeply loyal to Jordan and is willing to do whatever it takes to help him complete his mission. Maria, more than any other character, reflects the changes and tensions in Jordan and preserves his role from the endemic danger of fanaticism.
Pablo:
Pablo is the leader of the guerrilla band that Jordan is assigned to work with. Pablo is a complex character, at times brave and selfless, but also selfish and cowardly. He is jealous of Jordan's relationship with Maria and is motivated by a desire for power and control. Pablo's inner conflicts eventually lead him to betray Jordan and his cause.
Pilar:
Pilar is Pablo's wife and the matriarch of the guerrilla band. She is a strong and wise woman who is respected by everyone in the group. Pilar is fiercely loyal to the cause and is willing to do whatever it takes to fight against the Fascists. She is a mentor to Maria and a confidant to Jordan, and her guidance is instrumental in their efforts to complete their mission.
Anselmo:
Anselmo is an elderly member of the guerrilla band who serves as a guide for Jordan and his team. Anselmo is a quiet and introspective character, a man of few words but great wisdom. He is deeply committed to the cause and is willing to sacrifice himself for the greater good.
Thematic study:
"To produce a mighty book, you must choose a mighty theme. No great and enduring volume can ever be written on the flea, though there be many who have tried it."
-Herman Melville
Love in War:
"For Whom the Bell Tolls" by Ernest Hemingway is a novel that explores the theme of love amidst the chaos and violence of war. The novel is set during the Spanish Civil War and follows the story of an American volunteer named Robert Jordan, who is fighting alongside the Republican guerrilla fighters against the Fascist forces.
One of the central themes of the novel is the idea that love can transcend the horrors of war. Jordan falls in love with a young Spanish woman named Maria, whom he meets while on a mission to blow up a bridge. Despite the fact that their relationship is born out of the violent circumstances of war, their love is genuine and powerful.
Throughout the novel, Jordan and Maria's love is contrasted with the brutality of war. The violence of the conflict threatens to tear them apart, but they are able to find solace in each other's arms. In one particularly poignant moment, Jordan reflects on the fact that even though they are in the midst of a war, he and Maria are able to experience a kind of happiness that transcends the violence and suffering around them.
Cultural Connections:
The theme of love in war is further explored through the relationships between the other characters in the novel. For example, there is the love between the guerrilla fighters, who have formed a tight bond as they fight together for their cause. There is also the love between Pilar and Pablo, the leaders of the guerrilla band, whose relationship is complex and intense.
This theme is explored through the character of Robert Jordan, an American who has come to Spain to fight on the side of the Republic. Jordan is initially skeptical of the Spanish way of life, but as he spends more time with the guerrilla fighters, he begins to appreciate their culture and way of life. He learns the language, engages with their traditions, and comes to understand their motivations for fighting.
Similarly, the novel portrays the importance of understanding cultural differences in the relationship between Jordan and his love interest, Maria. Maria is a Spanish woman who has experienced significant trauma during the war. Jordan initially struggles to understand her behavior and reactions, but as he learns more about her culture and experiences, he becomes more empathetic and supportive.
The novel also highlights the impact of the war on the Spanish people, and the importance of preserving cultural traditions in the face of conflict. The guerrilla fighters are often shown engaging in traditional Spanish activities, such as dancing and singing, as a way of maintaining a connection to their heritage and community.
Violence, Cowardice, and Death:
The novel follows Robert Jordan, an American volunteer fighting for the Republican side, as he plans and executes a mission to blow up a bridge behind enemy lines. Throughout the novel, Hemingway portrays the brutality and senseless violence of war, as well as the fear and cowardice that can grip even the bravest of soldiers.
The theme of violence is evident throughout the novel, as the characters engage in combat and witness the horrors of war. Hemingway depicts war as a destructive force that causes immense physical and emotional pain, and ultimately results in the loss of human life.
Hemingway portrays characters who are paralyzed by fear and unable to act in the face of danger. This is especially evident in the character of Pablo, a former guerrilla fighter who is now consumed by fear and self-doubt.
As the characters are constantly aware of their mortality and the fragility of life. Hemingway emphasizes the inevitability of death, and the way in which it shapes the characters' thoughts and actions.
The Eternality of the Present:
The protagonist, Robert Jordan, is an American volunteer fighting with the Republican forces during the Spanish Civil War. He is tasked with blowing up a bridge behind enemy lines in order to support a Republican offensive. Despite the fact that he is fighting a war and facing the possibility of death, Jordan is able to find beauty and meaning in the present moment.
Throughout the novel, Hemingway emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment. For Jordan, this means being fully present in his interactions with the people around him and savoring the small moments of joy and connection that he experiences. Jordan is acutely aware of the fragility of life and the fact that the present moment is all that we truly have.
The theme of the eternality of the present is also reflected in the novel's title, which is taken from a poem by John Donne:
"No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were. 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 poem emphasizes the interconnectedness of all human beings and the fact that we are all part of a larger whole. It also suggests that death is a universal experience that touches us all, and that we should cherish the present moment because it is all we have.
Symbolic significance:
The Bridge:
The bridge serves as a powerful symbol of the connection between the old and the new world, the past and the future, and the fragility of human life in 'For Whom the Bell Tolls'.
The bridge represents the physical and metaphorical link between the two opposing sides of the Spanish Civil War, where Robert Jordan, the protagonist of the novel, is fighting for the Republican side. The bridge is a strategic point for both sides, and its destruction would disrupt the Nationalist army's supply chain. Thus, the bridge becomes the focus of Jordan's mission.
As Jordan plans for the destruction of the bridge, he becomes acutely aware of the inevitability of his own death, and the fleeting nature of life. The bridge symbolizes the transience of human existence, as well as the importance of individual sacrifice for a greater cause.
Furthermore, the bridge represents the cultural clash between the old and the new world. The bridge is an ancient structure, a reminder of the rich history of Spain, and the long-established traditions that have shaped its people. In contrast, the war represents the arrival of modernity and a new era, where old traditions and beliefs are being challenged.
The Hills and Mountains:
In Ernest Hemingway's novel "For Whom the Bell Tolls," the hills and mountains are a recurring symbol that represents both the characters' physical and emotional journey and the political and social landscape of the Spanish Civil War.
The rugged terrain of the Sierra de Guadarrama mountains, where the novel takes place, serves as a metaphor for the harsh and unforgiving nature of war. The steep and treacherous slopes also reflect the difficulties faced by the Republican guerrilla fighters, who are constantly on the move and must navigate the treacherous terrain to avoid enemy forces.
Additionally, the mountains symbolize the characters' personal struggles and emotional turmoil. For example, Robert Jordan, the protagonist, frequently contemplates the vastness and beauty of the mountains, which he finds both awe-inspiring and intimidating. The mountains serve as a reminder of his mortality and the impermanence of life.
The hills and mountains also reflect the political and social divisions of the time. The novel is set during the Spanish Civil War, a conflict between the Republican forces, who were largely composed of leftist groups and supported by the Soviet Union, and the Nationalists, who were backed by fascist regimes in Germany and Italy. The mountains represent the geographical divide between the two sides and the difficulties faced by the Republican forces in their fight against the better-equipped and better-trained Nationalist army.
Reference:
ELLIOTT, GARY D. “‘FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS’: REGENERATION OF THE HEMINGWAY HERO.” CEA Critic, vol. 38, no. 4, 1976, pp. 24–28. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/44375989. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.
Moynihan, William T. “The Martyrdom of Robert Jordan.” College English, vol. 21, no. 3, 1959, pp. 127–32. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/372836. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.
STEPHENS, ROBERT O. “Language Magic and Reality in ‘For Whom the Bell Tolls.’” Criticism, vol. 14, no. 2, 1972, pp. 151–64. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/23099037. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.
Word Count: 2303
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