American History

Ernest Hemingways For Whom The Bell Tolls is a novel which takes place specifically three days before May 1937 ends. It is about an American professor named Robert Jordan, whom offered to fight for the Spanish government he joins a group of  Spanish guerrilla fighters  (Tyler 115-116) with the mission to  blow up a bridge  (Tyler 116)  in order to thwart fascist groups working against the Spanish government (Tyler 116).

The main concept or thesis of the novel revolves around the question on whether the meaning of a life is far more important than how many days it is spent. In the book, it is seen that the protagonist, Robert, is fully aware of his mission and its costs such as being deprived of a longer life and a life of probable happiness with the person whom one loves (Tyler 120).
Methods

The method which Hemingway uses in For Whom the Bell Tolls is unlike the methods employed by most novelists whom write about history. While most novelists prefer to  undertake a general survey of a revolutionary crisis and shuttling back and forth among various groups of characters  (Wilson), Hemingway prefers to contain the story in one main action, which is the protagonists mission to blow up a bridge (Wilson).

Also, Hemingway tries to adopt various  unusual tactics  (Tyler 122) in order to present Spanish to his readers. Instead of actually incorporating actual obscene or profane phrases in the text, Hemingway preferred to allude to these phrases by using terms such as  unprintable or filth  (Tyler 122) and relying on the possibility that his readers will be able to interpret such words on their own.
Evaluation of the Thesis and Methods

The thesis of the novel is very interesting for it poses a very difficult question which would you choose, a short life where you are able to fulfill your duties and be of service to others, or a long life wherein you are made to remember your failures The book, in many ways, is a painful read, for it tries to convince its readers that there are, indeed, some choices which are right, and yet they are difficult to make.

On the other hand, the method which Hemingway employed is interesting and satisfying for the reader. While most history novelists prefer to write their novels using a wide array of events and thoughts from various characters, Hemingway preferred to centralize the focus on one main event, which is blowing up a bridge in the attempt to thwart fascist forces. Although readers are more accustomed to the former, it cannot be denied that Hemingways method was effective, for it provided the reader with the pleasure of focusing on one main event instead of actually trying to correlate various events that will lead into a main event. However, it is necessary to point it out that Hemingways allusions as to how Spanish guerrillas speak is not entirely that well-thought out. Although the language may have been vulgar, it would eventually make up for it because it will provide the reader with a notion of how exactly language differences between the characters affect their interaction.

Strengths and Weaknesses
One of the strengths of Hemingways For Whom the Bell Tolls is that it provides the reader with the feeling of oneness with the story. It cannot be denied that Hemingways gift of prose enables him to present his story is such a sense that the reader feels as if he or she is part of the story. The story pulls the reader for it provides the reader with a vivid description of the area wherein the protagonist and his friends face the battle. Every plant, tree, stream, and terrain is vividly depicted in the story, making it seem as if it is a direct description of the area (Wilson).

Another strength of Hemingways novel is that he is able to communicate feelings such as adventure and suspense. Since the novel is about the Spanish civil war, it is important that the reader is able to feel what the characters are feeling stories about war are effective when they are able to reach out to the reader and make them feel the difficulties and hardships of such events (Wilson).

On the other hand, while the novel, indeed, has strengths, it also has its fair share of weaknesses. One is that since Hemingway is more of a short story writer rather than an novel writer, it can be seen that he has certain problems with the transitions of the novel. One disadvantage of the fact that the novel pulls the reader towards it is that it enables the reader to be absorbed with the pacing of the story, and when the story seems dull, the reader easily notices (Wilson).

Conclusion and Recommended Readers
Hemingways For Whom the Bell Tolls is a combination of his obsessions personal honor and war (Wilber) although it has its fair share of strengths and weaknesses, it fulfills its purpose to show that it does not matter how short or how long a life is. What matters is that it is spent well, even though it is too short for comfort. Apparently, war is an event which forces an individual to make important choices in the protagonists case, it could be seen that his personal honor is far important than being able to live a long life.

This book is recommended for practically anyone whom is interested in reading about wars and life realizations. In a manner of speaking, this book might seem to be intimidating, because it is based on history, but it would be good reading material for young individuals whom are either in high school or college, for it will provide realizations and clarifications about life. In fact, anyone whom is passionate about life should read Hemingways For Whom the Bell Tolls for it is, undeniably, a good read with valuable insights.