As we are beginning our next novel, "A Farewell to Arms" by Ernest Hemingway, today I introduced both biographical information that informs the novel as well as instruction on Hemingway's style and voice. Olivia took notes on Hemingway's style which is known for short simple sentences, vigorous verbs, and realistic conversation to carry the narrative. I discussed the purpose of this style , literary naturalism, and Hemingway's aim to create in his work an experience truer than life itself. Thematically, I further introduced Hemingway's mantra of "grace under pressure" as evidenced in his characters who face war, bulls in the arena, and the forces of the sea ,all as a test of character,. As much of the novel is autobiographical, I last discussed World War I , Hemingway's time as an ambulance driver in the war, his love affair with a nurse that forms the basis of the novel, and his time in 1920s Paris with the renown Gertrude Stein, Ezra Pound, Sherwood Anderson, as well as the famed painters of the day. For homework, I assigned reading the first 4 chapters of the novel.