A Farewell to Arms Drugs and Alcohol Quotes

How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #4

"This is mosquito netting. This is a bottle of vermouth. You like vermouth? These are the English papers." (11.12)

Everybody brings Frederic presents and booze! The priest doesn’t seem flirty like Rinaldi, but he too wants to please Frederic and knows just what to bring him. The culture of alcohol is intense.

Quote #5

"Will you have a drink, Dr. Valentini?"

"A drink? Certainly. I will have ten drinks. Where are they?" (16.76-77)

The doctors that Frederic doesn’t like refuse his offer for drinks. Does Dr. Valentini’s willingness to drink contribute to Frederic’s trust in him?

Quote #6

"I suppose you can’t be blamed for not wanting to go back to the front. But I should think you would try something more intelligent than producing jaundice with alcoholism." (22.18)

Miss Van Campen is the voice of reason. As Frederic points out, her claim sounds rather ridiculous. It’s unlikely that Frederic thought, "I’ll drink until I totally screw up my liver." She’s also mocking the actual soldiers who intentionally wound themselves to stay out of the war. Ironically, she’s reacting that way because she thinks Frederic is mocking the men who are fighting, by lying in bed drinking while other men are fighting.