Character guide

Frederic Henry

major

Also known as Fred, Henry, Mr. Henry, Enrico Federico, Federico, Enrico, Tenente, Signor Tenente

An American ambulance driver on the Italian front who narrates his own drift from detached soldier to a man with everything at stake.

Catherine Barkley

major

Also known as Catherine, Cat, Miss Barkley, Mrs. Henry, Madame Henry

A British nurse who meets Frederic in the ward and gives herself to him with a fervor that hides how much the war has already taken.

Rinaldi

supporting

Also known as Poor Rinaldi, Rinaldo Sporchissimo, Rinaldo

An Italian surgeon and Frederic's closest friend, whose surgical brilliance and appetite for women and drink barely mask a growing despair.

The Priest

supporting

Also known as Priest

A young army chaplain from the Abruzzi who endures the officers' mockery and quietly offers Frederic a world of snow, family, and faith.

Piani

supporting

An Italian ambulance driver under Frederic's command, steady and matter-of-fact in the retreat until the moment orders stop meaning anything.

Aymo

supporting

Also known as Bartolomeo, Bartolomeo Aymo, Barto

A gentle Italian driver in Frederic's unit, kind to the fleeing girls on the road and quietly fatalistic about where the retreat is heading.

Bonello

supporting

Bonello belongs to Frederic Henry's small crew of drivers, the men who haul wounded soldiers and stray civilians through the collapsing retreat toward Udine. When the ambulance bogs down in the mud, he is the one who asks the lieutenant what to do, then does the ugliest work himself, putting a pistol to a dying engineer sergeant's head and later picking through the dead man's coat for souvenirs. His matter-of-fact brutality, offered without apology or drama, quietly measures how far the war has worn down ordinary men's scruples.

Ettore Moretti

minor

Also known as Ettore

Italian-American fighter pilot who boasts about his war exploits.

Miss Gage

minor

Also known as Gage

American nurse working at the hospital where Frederic recovers.

Miss Van Campen

minor

Also known as Van Campen

Strict superintendent of nurses at the American hospital in Milan.

Count Greffi

minor

Also known as The Count Greffi

Elderly Italian nobleman who plays billiards with Frederic in Stresa.

Helen Ferguson

minor

Also known as Helen, Ferguson, Fergy, Miss Ferguson

Scottish nurse and Catherine's close friend at the hospital.

Ralph Simmons

minor

Also known as Simmons, Sim

American opera singer studying in Italy who helps Frederic escape.

Passini

minor

Italian ambulance driver who is killed in a mortar attack.

Gordini

minor

Italian ambulance driver who serves briefly in Frederic's unit.

Dr. Valentini

minor

Also known as Valentini

Confident Italian surgeon who operates on Frederic's leg.

Old Meyers

minor

Also known as Meyers, Mr. Meyers

American expatriate living in Milan who frequents the horse races.

Mrs. Meyers

minor

Wife of Old Meyers, also an American expatriate in Milan.

Crowell Rodgers

minor

Also known as Crowell

Young American soldier who visits Frederic in the hospital.

Edgar Saunders

minor

Also known as Saunders

American sculptor living in Milan who visits Frederic.

Mr. Guttingen

minor

Also known as Guttingen

Swiss hotel owner who rents a room to Frederic and Catherine.

Mrs. Guttingen

minor

Wife of the Swiss hotel owner who helps Frederic and Catherine.

Rocca

minor

Italian soldier who jokes about the war with Frederic.

Rinin

minor

Italian soldier briefly mentioned in conversation.

Emilio

minor

Italian soldier who speaks with Frederic about the war.

Gino

minor

Italian soldier who discusses the war with Frederic near the front.

Manera

minor

Italian ambulance driver in Frederic's section.

Gavuzzi

minor

Italian ambulance driver in Frederic's section.

Bassi

minor

Also known as Bassi Fillippo Vicenza, Fillipo Vincenza, Fillipo Vincenza Bassi

Italian officer who assists with ambulance operations.

Mrs. Walker

minor

Also known as Walker

Nurse at the American hospital in Milan.

George

minor

Bartender at the hotel in Stresa who helps Frederic and Catherine escape.

Georgetti

minor

Italian soldier mentioned in the mess hall.