Lieutenant Frederic Henry- The central protagonist of the book, Lt. Henry is an American ambulance working for the Italian army driver caught in the middle of the front during World War I. He is a silent leader, and many look up to his bravery and ability to handle stressful 
situations with grace. However, his weakness can be seen in the selfish and self-centered choices that he makes; he sometimes sees himself above the rules. After he obtains an injury from flying shrapnel, Henry is swept away by his nurse Catherine Barkley in a Milan hospital. “Tenente”, as called by his comrades, Frederic Henry is a man’s man, like many of Hemmingway’s characters. He loves women and the drink, and is slow to show any strong emotion.
Catherine Barkley- Catherine is first introduced as a love interest for Rinaldi when he describes her as the “perfect woman” that he plans on marrying. As nurse for military hospitals, her strong maternal values are glorified as she cares for wounded soldiers, namely Lt. Frederic Henry. While their relationship was shallow at first, it blossomed during Henry’s stay in the hospital in Milan. Catherine can be seen as a stereotypical woman’s role. She is written as the stereotypical woman portrayal during the 1920’s. Catherine is caring, emotional, and displays an undying love for her man. She tells Henry that she lives to serve his every need and that “she” no longer exists- just “him”. However, her inner strength is displayed at moments throughout the novel. When Catherine tells Lt. Henry she is pregnant she refuses to let him see her worry. She is devoted, loving character, and her “perfect” virgin-white persona is perfect for the tragedy that befits her.
The Priest- The priest is a caring and passionate character who provides spiritual insight and general advice to Frederic. While the priest finds himself at the butt-end of many of the Italian officers’ jokes, he is a lighthearted man whose presence is greatly respected by Lt. Henry. Henry’s conversations with the priest provide insight into themes such as honor and the concept of war, as well as challenging the concept of faith.
Rinaldi- Just as many of Hemmingway’s other characters; Rinaldi is portrayed as the stereotypical Italian man. While a skilled doctor in the Italian army, he would rather spend his time drinking and seducing women. Rinaldi serves as an example that although he is caught in the middle of a war and sees his beloved country falling to pieces, Rinaldi seizes the day. His presence provides Henry insight into the life of another, foreign man living in the midst of WWI. His personality and selflessness makes him Lt. Henry’s best friend in Italy.
Helen Ferguson- Nurse Ferguson is a nurse’s aid in the American hospital and a good friend of
Catherine’s. She is a caring person, and is accepting of Frederic Henry’s visits to Catherine, but disapproves of their relationship. Hemmingway casts her as an unhappy woman who thrives off making others unhappy when, in actuality, she is paranoid about her own loneliness.
Miss Gage- A nurse in the Milan hospital, Miss Gage is a cheerful companion of Catherine and caretaker for Lt. Henry during his stay. She is accepting and respecting of their relationship and finds ways to let Catherine and Frederic have time together. Henry has enjoys spending time with Miss Gage. Their shared drinks and conversations make Miss Gage one of the Lieutenants’ best friends.
Miss Van Campen- The superintendent of nurses in the Milan hospital, Miss Van Campen’s adverse personality and harshness toward Frederic Henry personify Hemmingway’s other portrayal of women in the novel. While on one side women such as Catherine Barkley are described, Hemmingway’s other depiction of women is cold and unloving.
Dr. Valentini- a doctor that is brought in to examine Lt. Henry’s leg after he is told that it will be six months before it can be operated on. Valentini decides that the surgery can be done the next day, and after the surgery is successful, Valentini is celebrated as a man who has the courage and bravery to take risks.
Ralph Simmons- the opera student that is the first person Henry sees after fleeing the front. He proves to be a good friend after loaning Henry street clothes so that he Catherine and can flee to Switzerland without crossing through enemy lines.
Ettore Moretti- also an American fighting for the Italian army. Ettore is young and quick to start problems. Unlike Henry, he is obsessed with gaining power in the military.
Count Greffi- While ancient, Count Greffi is witty and full of energy. His sophistication is revered by Henry and Hemmingway as the masculine ideal. Lt. Henry looks up to Greffi as a father figure and seemingly wants to age like him.
Gino- a patriotic Italian whom Lt. Henry meets while traveling through a destroyed village. Gino’s patriotism and love of his native land is sharply contrasted with Frederic Henry’s view of homeland and war.
situations with grace. However, his weakness can be seen in the selfish and self-centered choices that he makes; he sometimes sees himself above the rules. After he obtains an injury from flying shrapnel, Henry is swept away by his nurse Catherine Barkley in a Milan hospital. “Tenente”, as called by his comrades, Frederic Henry is a man’s man, like many of Hemmingway’s characters. He loves women and the drink, and is slow to show any strong emotion.Catherine Barkley- Catherine is first introduced as a love interest for Rinaldi when he describes her as the “perfect woman” that he plans on marrying. As nurse for military hospitals, her strong maternal values are glorified as she cares for wounded soldiers, namely Lt. Frederic Henry. While their relationship was shallow at first, it blossomed during Henry’s stay in the hospital in Milan. Catherine can be seen as a stereotypical woman’s role. She is written as the stereotypical woman portrayal during the 1920’s. Catherine is caring, emotional, and displays an undying love for her man. She tells Henry that she lives to serve his every need and that “she” no longer exists- just “him”. However, her inner strength is displayed at moments throughout the novel. When Catherine tells Lt. Henry she is pregnant she refuses to let him see her worry. She is devoted, loving character, and her “perfect” virgin-white persona is perfect for the tragedy that befits her.
The Priest- The priest is a caring and passionate character who provides spiritual insight and general advice to Frederic. While the priest finds himself at the butt-end of many of the Italian officers’ jokes, he is a lighthearted man whose presence is greatly respected by Lt. Henry. Henry’s conversations with the priest provide insight into themes such as honor and the concept of war, as well as challenging the concept of faith.
Rinaldi- Just as many of Hemmingway’s other characters; Rinaldi is portrayed as the stereotypical Italian man. While a skilled doctor in the Italian army, he would rather spend his time drinking and seducing women. Rinaldi serves as an example that although he is caught in the middle of a war and sees his beloved country falling to pieces, Rinaldi seizes the day. His presence provides Henry insight into the life of another, foreign man living in the midst of WWI. His personality and selflessness makes him Lt. Henry’s best friend in Italy.
Helen Ferguson- Nurse Ferguson is a nurse’s aid in the American hospital and a good friend of
Catherine’s. She is a caring person, and is accepting of Frederic Henry’s visits to Catherine, but disapproves of their relationship. Hemmingway casts her as an unhappy woman who thrives off making others unhappy when, in actuality, she is paranoid about her own loneliness.Miss Gage- A nurse in the Milan hospital, Miss Gage is a cheerful companion of Catherine and caretaker for Lt. Henry during his stay. She is accepting and respecting of their relationship and finds ways to let Catherine and Frederic have time together. Henry has enjoys spending time with Miss Gage. Their shared drinks and conversations make Miss Gage one of the Lieutenants’ best friends.
Miss Van Campen- The superintendent of nurses in the Milan hospital, Miss Van Campen’s adverse personality and harshness toward Frederic Henry personify Hemmingway’s other portrayal of women in the novel. While on one side women such as Catherine Barkley are described, Hemmingway’s other depiction of women is cold and unloving.
Dr. Valentini- a doctor that is brought in to examine Lt. Henry’s leg after he is told that it will be six months before it can be operated on. Valentini decides that the surgery can be done the next day, and after the surgery is successful, Valentini is celebrated as a man who has the courage and bravery to take risks.
Ralph Simmons- the opera student that is the first person Henry sees after fleeing the front. He proves to be a good friend after loaning Henry street clothes so that he Catherine and can flee to Switzerland without crossing through enemy lines.
Ettore Moretti- also an American fighting for the Italian army. Ettore is young and quick to start problems. Unlike Henry, he is obsessed with gaining power in the military.
Count Greffi- While ancient, Count Greffi is witty and full of energy. His sophistication is revered by Henry and Hemmingway as the masculine ideal. Lt. Henry looks up to Greffi as a father figure and seemingly wants to age like him.
Gino- a patriotic Italian whom Lt. Henry meets while traveling through a destroyed village. Gino’s patriotism and love of his native land is sharply contrasted with Frederic Henry’s view of homeland and war.
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