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In-depth Facts:
full title For Whom the Bell Tolls
authorErnest Hemingway
type of workNovel
genreTragedy; historical novel; war novel; love story
languageEnglish sprinkled with Spanish words and phrases. Many sections, especially dialogue and interior monologue, are written as though they have been translated word-for-word from Spanish to English and retain the structure and cadence of the Spanish language.
time and place writtenMarch 1939–August 1940; Cuba, Key West, Wyoming, and Idaho
date of first publicationOctober 21, 1940
publisherScribner’s
narratorAnonymous third-person
point of viewThe narrative is written in a detached, journalistic style that focuses on what the characters can see, hear, or smell. This description is often restricted to what Robert Jordan can see or hear. On a few occasions, most notably when introducing Pablo confiding to his horse and introducing Karkov’s rescue of Andrés and Gomez in prison, the narrator comments on the unfolding action.
toneThe tone is detached, solemn, and world-weary, especially when the narrative focuses on the perspective of Robert Jordan. There are recurring elements of dramatic irony (resulting from a discrepancy between what the characters know and what we as readers know) as characters fighting for the Republican side express optimism about the outcome of the war.
tenseImmediate past
setting (time)Three days during the last week of May 1937, from Saturday afternoon to Tuesday midday; along with lengthy flashbacks to earlier episodes in the lives of different characters
setting (place)The Guadarrama mountain range in Spain; several flashbacks are set in a variety of places in Montana and throughout Spain
protagonistRobert Jordan
major conflictAs Robert Jordan and a small band of guerrilla fighters prepare to blow up a bridge with their limited resources and manpower, Robert Jordan and Pablo struggle for authority over the small band of guerrillas. Meanwhile, Robert Jordan and Maria cope with the pitfalls of falling in love during wartime.
rising actionRobert Jordan arrives at Pablo’s camp, convinces the band members to help him fulfill his mission, and falls in love with Maria. He enlists the aid of nearby guerrilla leader El Sordo and clashes with Pablo. Snow falls. A band of Fascists attacks and slaughters El Sordo’s men. Robert Jordan sends a dispatch to General Golz recommending that the Republican offensive be canceled. Pablo leaves the group and steals some of Robert Jordan’s explosives.
climax Pablo returns. Andrés delivers the dispatch too late, and the Republican offensive is not canceled. Robert Jordan and the guerrilla band blow up the bridge.
falling actionFour people, including Robert Jordan, die or are fatally wounded. Pablo leads the others away, presumably to safety into the mountains.
themesThe loss of innocence in war; the value of human life; romantic love as salvation
motifsRabbits and hares; the forest floor; signs and omens; suicide
symbolsPlanes, tanks, and mortars; absinthe
foreshadowingRobert Jordan’s intuition that Pablo will be a danger to the bridge operation; Pilar’s consternation at what she reads in Robert Jordan’s palm; Agustín’s warning to Robert Jordan to pay attention to his packs; Pilar’s sense of foreboding as she watches Pablo after the men swear allegiance to her; Robert Jordan’s worry about the tracks that El Sordo may have left when the snowstorm stops at night; Pilar’s lengthy description of the smell of death
