|
Henry and the priest discuss the war. The priest comments on the changes in attitudes among many officers. After a terrible summer, they are now gentle. Note that this word pretty well describes Henry, too. His gentleness, though it comes in part from his personal brush with death, has undoubtedly been made stronger by his love for Catherine.
The priest, an idealist, hopes that the war will end; Henry, still a realist, notes that the Austrians, having stopped the Italians from gaining ground, do not feel beaten and gentle. They will not stop fighting.
When Henry begins analyzing the war and men\'s attitudes, he becomes depressed and admits that he tries not to think about these things. But he realizes he can\'t help but think about them. He\'s no longer the lad who went to war for a lark.
|
