by Joshua Ortiz

Created on: December 02, 2008

In Ernest Hemingway's "For Whom the Bell Tolls" the images of the horse and the airplane become the major theme of the book. This theme is deeply rooted in the elimination of the chivalric age in Spain during the Spanish Civil War. The use of the horse and airplane are what help identify the change in warfare that we experience today.

Hemingway uses the horse and airplane to better illustrate the relationship from the new world and the old. In the book he uses the horse to represent the chivalric age during the middle ages. The introduction of the plane is Hemingway's way of identifying the invasion of Spain with technology of today.

The horse is representing the Spanish as being more favorable of equality when it comes to battle. The Spanish have not yet given up on the traditional method fighting in which you face your enemy and fight. It is this ignorance that will eventually cause chaos once the civil war begins and modern warfare takes hold. When the planes arrive the guerillas begin to realize the harsh reality of modern warfare.

The use of the plane in Hemingway's work is symbolic of the modern technology of today. They are used to contrast the old world with the new. The use of modern warfare in the book has confused the guerrillas. They become confused because they do not understand the need for such mass destruction.

Chapter 27 gives us a glimpse into the meaning of the horse and airplane. In the beginning of this chapter we are confronted with the horse that was shot by the enemy. El Sordo, leader of the guerrillas, puts the horse out of its misery so that it will not suffer. Later in the chapter we envision El Sordo hiding behind the same horse to keep from being injured. This illustrates the usefulness of the horse even in its death. The use of the horse as a source of protection illustrates to us the comfort we can find in keeping tradition.

Presented later in the book is the character known as Joaquin who appears to be resting from battle fatigue. His superior, Lieutenant Berrendo, sees Joaquin's suffering and kills him. We see that Joaquin was suffering much like the horse. By shooting Joaquin, Lieutenant Berrendo places him out of his misery easing his pain and suffering. Berrendo later prays and in a way asks for the atonement of the fallen soldier.

In chapter eight, the images of the horse and plane forshadow the destruction that is caused by the planes. The planes are described as "hammering the sky apart." Later in chapter 27 the planes are again described as "hammering apart the earth and people to."

Also in chapter eight, we see Pablo, another guerrilla leader, as being concerned about his horses and their safety during the attack. He even admits that he has never experienced warfare in this way. Later in chapter nine Pablo makes a change back to religion. Pablo portrays a loss of faith in the government that is running his country. He feels somewhat threatened by the outsiders who inhabit his homeland. This shift back to his old religion represents Pablo's loss of faith in politics, which can be seen symbolically in his close attachment to his horses. Thus, the atheism of the Communists and Socialists cannot help the Spaniards when they are facing death.

"For Whom the Bell Tolls" is filled with a number of themes and images. All of which express Hemingway's growing distaste for modern warfare. He explains this perspective using objects that we can easily associate with war. It is this connection that makes this novel a true literary classic.

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