Novel Essay: For Whom the Bell Tolls
For Whom the Bell Tolls portrays yet another classic story of the fragility of human life, and the costs of senseless war. I chose this novel, partly due to the fact that I had some knowledge of the Spanish Civil War, and partly due to my interest in history. I found this novel to be very interesting, and it consistently kept you wondering what would happen next. The book didn’t seem to lack anything, and I found it to be very suspenseful in some parts. The novel contained enough action to keep me interested on what was on the next page as well as how it ended, so before I knew it I was on the last page.
For Whom the Bell Tolls’ plot bases itself around the fact that war is hell in many respects. Not for just the two sides aiming weapons at each other, but the tension war creates between even the closest of friends. The character named Robert Jordan, originally from the United States, gets shipped over to Spain to enlist himself into the Spanish guerilla fighting unit behind enemy lines. His task with the guerilla fighters is to blow up a bridge controlled by fascist leaders as part of a republican army movement. Before any action stirs up between the good and bad side so to speak, Pablo, the guerrilla camp leader, confronts Robert about the bridge mission. Pablo believes the mission will greatly endanger the guerrilleros’ lives. Thus, the two start off their relationship on a bad note, and Robert is left with the feeling that Pablo will create a roadblock within the mission. At first it seems as if Pablo will not help Robert blow the bridge, but eventually the two put their problems aside and attempt to get the job done during a time of desperate measures. On top of all this Robert learns to cope with romance during times of war.
For Whom the Bell Tolls starts the story of Robert Jordan in May 1937 during the period of the Spanish Civil War. The novel displays a time of desperation, instinctive last...