"A Farewell to Arms," by Ernest Hemingway, is a story about Catherine Barkley and Frederic Henry, two completely opposite characters who live a tragically interesting life during WWI. These two characters fall in love during this depressing time which brings an interesting feel to the relationship; they are both unique and have different pasts that affect them. Catherine Barkley takes a heroic role in the story as she grows as a character. Catherine grows out of a typical woman to a woman who lives an untypical, unrealistic life in the 1920’s and doesn’t seem lose herself. Catherine controls the relationship in spite of her best interest; she is willing to love again and open herself up. Despite the loss of her fiancee, Catherine jumps at the chance to move on and love again. "I want what you want. There isn't any me any more. Just what you want" (Hemingway 106). Catherine moving on could be seen as desperate and an absurd move; however, in her heart, she is strong for wanting the freedom to love. Catherine Barkley is heroic for letting herself love again; she is heroic for sacrificing anything for love. Some readers may say that Catherine Barkley is one to take on a stereotypical role in A Farewell to Arms. This understanding may appear this way because of how Catherine and Henry’s love story played out in the book. In the beginning, Catherine came off as controlling and dominating(a stereotypical woman who does not want to be a minority), deciding when the intimacy between her and Frederic could actually appear. For example, as Frederic tried to kiss Catherine, she dominantly rejected and Frederic said, “She slapped my face hard” (Hemingway 26). Contrary to how this may seem, all Catherine’s actions towards Henry showed that she was willing to move on from her lost love, while trying to protect herself from a her tragic past as well. Catherine fought for the opportunity to love on her own terms: heroically and passionate