Question

Read the excerpt from Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms.

“It could not be worse,” Passini said respectfully. “There is nothing worse than war.”
“Defeat is worse.”
“I do not believe it,” Passini said still respectfully. “What is defeat? You go home.”
“They come after you. They take your home. They take your sisters.”

The use of informal diction in A Farewell to Arms

robs the passage of having a deeper meaning.
helps to maintain the realism of the dialogue.
lends an air of absurdity to the dialogue.
reduces the readability of the passage. 2This excerpt exemplifies how Hemingway’s dialogues typically includes

common language and vague pronouns to refer to complex ideas.
complicated syntax and inflated vocabulary choices.
colorful language and specific word choices to define complex ideas.
difficult vocabulary and cultural references to elicit reader response. 3Which best describes Hemingway’s style of writing in the excerpt?
straightforward and simple, while still relating a lot of information to the reader
long-winded and offering far too much information to the reader
overly complicated, making it difficult to interpret and understand the text
effortless and uncomplicated, with little meaning for the reader to interpret

Answer 1

1. helps to maintain the realism of the dialogue.
- Hemingway’s informal diction mirrors ordinary speech, making the exchange feel authentic.

2. common language and vague pronouns to refer to complex ideas.
- The dialogue uses simple, everyday words and indirect references to convey larger themes (war, loss).

3. straightforward and simple, while still relating a lot of information to the reader.
- The style is plain and direct yet communicates strong emotional and thematic content.