In this article we will talk about the very famous work of Ernest Hemingway and consider in detail its brief content. "For Whom the Bell Tolls" is a novel telling about the military events that took place in Spain in the 1930s. The writer himself took the fascist rebellion very close to his heart. He not only called on Europe to intervene, but even bought military equipment with his own money. But this did not help - the Republicans were not ready for the confrontation.
About the work
The novel "For Whom the Bell Tolls" was published in 1940. The summary of the work confirms that Hemingway acted on the side of the Spanish government. In addition, he was an implacable opponent of fascism. The events described in the novel began in 1936, and then Europe and the USA could not imagine how their connivance would end. Unfortunately, the writer's protest was never heard, and in the year the book was published, fascism had already gained immense strength.
Hemingway, āFor Whom the Bell Tollsā: Summary (Outline)
The main character is Robert Jordan, an American by birth, takes part in the civil war in Spain. He is on the side of the Republicans. The young man was given the task of blowing up a bridge in front of the advancing enemy forces.
Before the enemy approaches, Robert must remain in the partisan detachment, which is headed by Pablo. There are a lot of rumors about this man. For example, they say about his courage, that at the very beginning of the war he killed more fascists than the plague, but now he has become rich and wants to retire.
A brief description (āFor whom the bell ringsā) fully conveys the atmosphere of long-standing events. The reader sees how different people relate to what is happening. So, Pablo did not want to participate in the bombing, as this promised him and his people only trouble. However, the argument entered into Pilar, the wife of Pablo, who enjoyed great respect among her husband's subordinates. The woman said that those who seek security lose everything. The partisans liked her words, and they supported the idea of āādestroying the bridge.
Pilar
Hemingway depicts many strong personalities in his work, and this is confirmed by a brief summary. "For Whom the Bell Tolls" is a novel about the war, and weak people have no place here.
Pilar is a bright personality, a convinced republican, devoted to the people's cause, she will never turn off the chosen path. This wise and courageous woman is fraught with many talents, including the gift of clairvoyance. Looking at Robertās hand on the first day they met, she realized that his life path was nearing its end. She also saw that the hero and Maria, the girl who had nailed to the partisans after her parents were killed, would passionately love each other. Pilar does not prevent the attraction of young people, on the contrary, she pushes them in every possible way, knowing that their happiness will not last long. A woman understands that true love can heal Mary's crippled soul.
Robert instructs Aselmo to keep an eye on the road, Rafael - to watch the sentries at the bridge, and he goes with Maria and Pilar to El Sordo, the commander of another partisan detachment. During the trip, Pilar talked about how the revolution began in the town where she and her husband lived, and how the locals dealt with the Nazis. The people lined up in two parallel lines, armed with clubs and chains, and the Nazis were driven through this system. This was done so that everyone was responsible for their deeds. None of those who passed through this corridor survived. Everyone died in different ways - some with dignity, and some who until the last prayed for mercy.
Jordan's Thoughts
Perfectly conveys the emotional drama of the heroes summary of "For whom the bell tolls." Robert, listening to the story of Pilar, begins to think about what is happening. He is not at all surprised at the fact that he went to war. Even his profession, a teacher of Spanish at the university, is associated with this country. In addition, he often came here to stay, he liked to communicate with the Spaniards. The fate of these people was not indifferent to him, so the hero could not close his eyes to what was happening. Jordan does not consider himself a āredā, but believes that fascism will not bring to good. Therefore, we must win the war. And after that, he will write a book that will help him free himself from all the horrors he has seen.
Robert understands that while preparing for the explosion, he may not survive - he has very few people: Pablo gave seven, El Sordo promises the same, but there are too many things to do. Most of all, he is upset that it was in this chaos and horror that he met true love. He begins to think that maybe this life gives him a chance to know the true feeling, because he did not have long to live in this world? But he drives away gloomy thoughts and concludes: in 70 hours you can sometimes live a more eventful life than in 70 years.
Snowfall
Our summary goes on (āFor Whom the Bell Tollsā). Robert, Maria and Pilar, with the support of El Sordo and his promise to get horses, return to their camp. Snow begins. No one expected such weather at the end of May, because it can spoil everything conceived. Also, Robert cautiously glances at Pablo, who is constantly applied to the bottle. In this state, he can harm the cause without even realizing it.
As promised, El Sordo pulled out horses. They will be needed if you suddenly have to flee after undermining. But because of the deep snow, the fascist patrol noticed the traces of animals and people who led to the refuge of Sordo. The muffled sounds of the battle begin to reach the fighters of the Pablo squad. But they cannot intervene, otherwise the operation will be completely disrupted, and without it it will not be possible to prevent the advance of the enemy. Sordo and his people perish.
Pablo's Flight
Gradually, all the plans of the protagonist of the novel "For Whom the Bell Tolls" begin to crumble. The summary allows you to understand how Robert feels. After the destruction of Sordoās detachment, Pablo disappears from the camp, who escapes, taking with him the Bikford cord and a box with a fuse. And without these things, an explosion is much more difficult, and the risk increases several times.
Anselmo arrives with a report on movement along the road. The news is disappointing - the Nazis are starting to fit the technique. Jordan draws up a report of everything that happened to General Goltz, who commands the front. Robert focuses on the fact that the enemy is aware of the impending counterattack, the Republicans will not have a chance to take advantage of the surprise, which they so hoped for. Andres, one of the partisans, is called to deliver the package as directed. If the paper can be transferred before dawn, then the offensive will necessarily be postponed, as well as the time of undermining the bridge. But so far there is no order, so you need to prepare for the implementation of the plan.
The night before the fight
The work āFor Whom the Bell Tollsā approaches its climax. We recommend that you read the summary only if the original has already been read, otherwise you can miss a lot of important points.
The night before the bombing, Robert, lying next to Mary, sums up the peculiar result of his life. The hero concludes that he lived it for good reason. Death does not frighten him, he is afraid of only one thing - not to have time to complete the mission that was assigned to him. Jordan recalls his grandfather, who also took part in the American Civil War, when North and South came together. He thinks that she must have been as terrible as this one. Anselmo's words that those who are fighting for the Nazis are just as poor as those who are for the Republicans. But you canāt think about it, otherwise you will stop hating the enemy, and then you will not be able to implement the plan.
The morning begins with a real surprise - Pablo returned. He brought people to help and procured horses somewhere. Pablo, under the influence of alcohol and anger, threw Robert's detonator into the abyss. But after that he was visited by remorse. He realized that he could not just leave, saving his own skin, while his comrades were in such trouble. Pablo decided to help the partisans. In one night he managed to recruit volunteers in the surrounding villages who were ready to fight the Nazis. Some of them brought animals with them.
Bridge mining
The decisive event is approaching. This helps to understand the summary (āFor Whom the Bell Tollsā). Ernest Hemingway prepared the reader in advance for the fact that his hero was not destined to survive the upcoming operation. This is already evident from the prediction of Pilar.
Jordan, not knowing whether Andres managed to convey the report, sets off with a detachment of partisans to the river. Their road lies through the gorge. It was decided to leave Maria to look after the horses, and the rest begin to carry out the tasks received in advance. Robert and Anselm make their way to the bridge and kill the sentries. Dynamite can be installed at the very supports. Everything is ready for an explosion. It remains only to understand whether there will be an offensive.
Unfortunately, Andres is too late to get to Goltz. The offensive is no longer possible to cancel.
Denouement
A summary of Hemingwayās novel āFor Whom the Bell Tollsā approaches its final. Robert blows up the bridge, while Anselmo dies. The survivors are in a hurry to retreat. During the withdrawal, the shell explodes near the heroās horse, the animal falls and crushes the rider. Jordan cannot go on; his leg is broken. He persuades Mary to leave him. Wounded, Robert goes to the machine gun, he decides to detain the enemy as much as he can.
So ends his novel Hemingway. āFor whom the bell tollsā (a brief summary of the chapters demonstrates this) tells about the horrors of war and that it contradicts human nature.