“I rewrote the ending to ‘Farewell to Arms,’ the last page of it, thirty-nine times before I was satisfied.”
- July 21, 1899 – July 2, 1961
- American
- Novelist, poet, journalist
- Wrote masterpieces such as “The Old Man and the Sea,” “A Farewell to Arms,” and “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” and won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1954
Quote
“I rewrote the ending to ‘Farewell to Arms,’ the last page of it, thirty-nine times before I was satisfied.”
Explanation
In this quote, Hemingway reflects on the level of perfectionism and dedication he brought to his writing, specifically the ending of his novel A Farewell to Arms. He describes the process of rewriting the last page thirty-nine times, highlighting the effort and precision required to achieve the emotional impact and clarity he desired. This shows that even for a writer of Hemingway’s stature, the act of writing involves a constant search for the right words, and often the final product is the result of meticulous editing and revision. Hemingway’s emphasis on rewriting underscores the importance of craftsmanship in writing—the understanding that writing is a process and that perfection often comes only after significant effort and reflection.
This process of revising is consistent with Hemingway’s well-known commitment to concise, powerful writing. He believed that a writer should strip away the unnecessary and get to the heart of the matter, which often meant revisiting and refining drafts until the writing felt just right. A Farewell to Arms is a deeply emotional and tragic novel, and the fact that Hemingway went through such a rigorous process to get the ending right reveals his dedication to ensuring that every aspect of the novel was authentic and meaningful. This is a testament to his understanding of how the emotional weight of a story needs to resonate with the reader, especially in something as powerful as the final moments of a novel.
In the modern context, this quote serves as a reminder that great writing doesn’t come easily and that the pursuit of artistic excellence often requires relentless effort and dedication. It highlights the importance of revision and the fact that the best work often results from not only the initial inspiration but from the hard work of shaping and refining ideas over time. Whether in literature, film, or other forms of creative work, Hemingway’s words encourage creators to be patient with their process, to be willing to revisit their work, and to strive for the clarity and impact that will make it resonate with audiences.
