True Love in A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway At first glance, Catherine Barkley, the woman in A Farewell to Arms by Hemingway, seems to be an example of a dream girl. She emerges as a mindless character who demands nothing from her man and exists only to satisfy his needs. Therefore, it has been argued that Catherine's character is demeaning to women. By analyzing the actions of just one of the characters, however, we overlook the special relationship that exists between Frederic and Catherine. If Catherine represents the way Hemingway humiliates women, then one must also examine the way Frederic is depicted, as he is also very dependent and devoted to Catherine as she is to him. The mutual love between Frederic and Catherine does not degrade either of them; rather, it shows them together in a good light. Catherine Barkley's fundamental approach to her relationship with Frederic is that of a subordinate. He seems to willingly accept a submissive role towards Frederic. “I'll do what you want and say what you want,” she tells him, “and then I'll be a great success, won't I?” (105). Her idea of ​​a successful relationship, and therefore happiness, is based on making Frederic happy, no matter what she has to do. It changes his personality and way of life until he is no longer a full-fledged person. "I want what you want," he tells Frédéric, "I'm no longer there. Just what you want" (106). He no longer sees himself as an individual but rather as an extension of Frederic; its only purpose is to welcome him. “Is there anything I do that you don't like?” she asks Frederic in her quest to be perfect for him, “Can I do anything to please you?”(116). Catherine even goes so far as to declare that she and Fr...... middle of paper ...... with each other allows them to be happy but they can no longer be happy alone. The relationship between Frederic and Catherine has been criticized for being too romantic and too immature. It has been argued that through the extreme altruism shown by Catherine, Hemingway aims to belittle women. However, Frederic displays the same immaturity and altruism as Catherine and the combination of the two in the story helps to build a special relationship. Their interdependence forms a strong bond through which both can be happy. The mutual commitment is mutual, causing each to lose their individual identity and become one with the other. Instead of a degradation of women, Catherine and Frederic's relationship represents an ideal for women and men, in which both are happy and dependent on each other..