Book Report on For Whom the Bell Tolls

Ertian Tu

Abstract：For Whom the Bell Tolls is one of the masterpieces written by Hemingway.I will briefly analyse the infinite possibilities and tremendous power of human nature when confronting with danger or death according to the descriptions of the war and psychological activities in the text.

Key words：human nature；war；analysis

For Whom the Bell Tolls is one of the masterpieces written by Hemingway.The story happens in a mountain behind the fascist lines in Spain，where American soldier called Robert Jordan takes strenuous efforts to undertake a mission of blasting a key bridge with the aid of guerrillas including the guide，Anselmo，Pablos wife，Pilar，and other faithful comrades，though they suffer a lot from the defection of the leader guerrilla，Pablo，who stealthily throws the exploder and detonators down the gorge；thus indirectly leading to Anselmos death.

First and foremost，the author implies his criticism of inherent wickedness in human nature through Pilars recollection of the massacre executed by a large number of peasants at the beginning of the revolution.Pablo successfully attacks the barracks and shots four “civiles”who even “have never killed any one”without mercy （Hemingway，96，94）.That is the decent evidence illustrating that there are so many people having died in the war that we seldom know exactly how many of them are genuine fascists who have committed unforgivable crimes.Whats worse，after the triumphant attack，massive peasants are armed with flails which were “used to beat out the grain”to beat these fascists to death and cast their body down the cliffs（Hemingway，97）.I deem that by describing the extremely cruel violence from those who have been oppressed for a long time，plus the depiction of the disordered spot which is filled with the odor of alcohol and blood mixed with vomits stench，the author intends to reveal the dark side of human nature that all human beings are inclined to adopt violence and wars to solve problems and conflicts.Besides，I hold the viewpoint that there is always a devil hiding inside humans mind.Just as presented in the novel，once those who have been oppressed for a long time get freedom and strength，they are much more likely to give full vent to their anger in a violent way for the sake of so-called justice to punish those who have bullied them，yet they never realize it is also an irretrievable mistake on the account of the fact that violence can only intensify conflicts.

At the beginning of the novel，Jordan asks Anselmo whether he has killed anyone or not.The old man answers“Yes.Several times.But not with pleasure.To me it is a sin to kill man.Even Fascists whom we must kill”（Hemingway，38）.In addition，he prefers to“make them work each day”as they have been forced to work because“To kill them teaches nothing”（Hemingway，39）.Apparently，it demonstrates that even if sometimes we cannot avoid violence，we can never cover the truth that violence and warfare can only create hatred and make it deep-rooted.Moreover，he says“we do not have God here any more”（Hemingway，38），but prays for the Lords help again after he witnessed the spot of Sordos death.It makes sense that everyone will be weak and helpless and desperate when facing death for no one is born with a tough heart.There will be naturally involuntary fear in the ones heart of hearts.But the capacity to overcome such fear is distinctive.There may be some people like Don Ricardo who “will never be any more ready”（Hemingway，103）to die for his own belief，while there can also be someone like Don Faustino who cowardly yields and begs to survive.It is by no means uncommon to find someone who can easily give up what he insists when in a moral dilemma yet never easy to find someone who is always adhering to ones belief no matter what disaster he or she suffers from because it is the human nature that people invariably go after gain and avoid harm.From my standpoint， the sharp contradiction effectively illustrates what the author urges：we should insist on what we really are no matter what we have undergone and take pains to overcome the inborn shortcoming.

Meanwhile，Hemingway fully appreciates the bright side of human nature.By comparing Jordans grandfather who was brave and skillful in battle and his father who cowardly commits suicide due to a woman，Jordan understands that it is not terrible to die but to die meaninglessly.Furthermore，after concentrating on deep thinking in several difficult situations，Jordan changes a lot from a soldier who comes just for his orders to a man who has comprehended the significance of war and death then is able to make mature decision.Warfare is well-known for its tremendous power to destroy a man both physically and mentally.However，it can also shape a man for there are still countless noble characters in human nature. Just like Jordan，he ultimately devoted himself to the war because he understands the importance of death as a soldier.His selflessness is aroused by the brightness of human nature that makes him to be ready to sacrifice.At the end of the mission，instead of showing vulnerability and helplessness when he knows his inevitable death，Jordan tries his best to comfort Maria that“as long as there is one of us there is both of us”（Hemingway，424）.Moreover，under the torture of killing pain owing to his broken leg，he still thinks it is worth of dying after his teammates left safely because he takes the responsibility to protect and save their lives.I indeed consider what Jordan does eventually as the most precious quality of human inasmuch as one regards the interest of the whole far outweigh individual interests.

In conclusion，the war can not only magnify the wicked side of human nature but also awaken the glorious and honorable side by forcing people to confront death.To be frank，nowadays，as we live in a harmonious country in a peaceful era when most of us may never experience the sufferings caused by wars and violent revolutions，we can never realize exactly what human nature is on earth.Consequently，concerning what the author reveals，we should attach great awareness to the human nature and make efforts to motivate and maintain our brilliant quality as much as possible especially in arduous circumstances.