A Farewell to Arms Book 3, Chapter 25 Summary

Summary

Frederic Henry travels by camion from Udine to Gorizia in late fall, noting the bare trees, muddy roads and rain-swollen river. He arrives at the villa that houses the town-major’s office and finds the major older and weary; their greeting is businesslike rather than celebratory. The major explains the disposition of ambulance cars and suggests Frederic take over cars on the Bainsizza, mentions Rinaldi’s heavy workload and the general exhaustion of the unit, and urges Frederic to stay the night and leave at first light.

Frederic goes to his room, rests and waits for Rinaldi, thinking of Catherine. Rinaldi arrives, examines Frederic’s knee, and they fall into their old teasing intimacy. Rinaldi confesses his depression from operating nonstop and their conversation alternates between humor and bleakness. They drink Austrian cognac, recall small private jokes, and share barbed jokes about priests and saints. At dinner the priest arrives; the mess is quieter than before. Rinaldi’s mood swings and drunken bravado culminate in bitter, defiant outbursts — “To hell with the whole damn business” — and then quiet acceptance. After coffee and candles, the group disperses: Rinaldi goes into town, the major warns about Rinaldi’s condition and possible illness, and Frederic prepares to leave before daylight to take over ambulance duty, with Peduzzi to wake him and go along.

Key events

1. Frederic rides by camion into Gorizia and inspects the damaged town
2. He reports to the town major and discusses ambulance assignments
3. Rinaldi arrives; he examines Frederic’s knee and they reminisce
4. They drink cognac, tease each other, and discuss war-weariness
5. Dinner with the major and the priest; Rinaldi rants about the war
6. The group disperses; Frederic prepares to leave before dawn

Analysis

This chapter functions as a quiet, character-driven interlude that foregrounds exhaustion and the hollowing effects of prolonged war. The narrative slows after action-filled chapters, emphasizing mood and interpersonal texture rather than plot movement. Frederic’s return to the villa is anticlimactic — the house does not feel like home — which reinforces themes of alienation and the loss of normalcy. Rinaldi’s manic humor and sudden bitterness expose a soldier’s psychological wear: his identity is wrapped in work (surgery) and its removal leaves him adrift. The major is practical and fatigued, representing military bureaucracy and resigned leadership.

Symbolically, the autumnal landscape, bare trees and high river mirror internal barrenness and the wash of change. The repeated drinking scenes and jokes about saints/priests reveal characters coping through mockery and self-destruction; cognac functions as both comfort and corrosive agent. Hemingway’s understated, clipped dialogue sustains realism and shows the way men of war communicate around sentiment. The chapter also sets up forthcoming duties (the Bainsizza cars) and hints at continued instability, while keeping focus on the bonds — and limitations — of male camaraderie in wartime.

Important quotes

““It’s all over,” he said.”

Signor MaggioreThe major greets Frederic and bluntly assesses that the heavy fighting season has ended, setting a resigned tone.

““I am very tired of this war.””

Signor MaggioreThe major expresses his fatigue, summarizing the chapter’s mood of exhaustion and disillusionment.

““To hell with the whole damn business.””

RinaldiRinaldi’s drunken outburst captures his bitter frustration and the emotional toll the war has taken on him.

Characters in Book 3, Chapter 25

• Frederic Henry
• Signor Maggiore
• Rinaldi
• the priest
• Catherine Barkley
• Gino
• Peduzzi
• the orderly