During the Spanish Civil War, in the Sierra de Guadarrama, a handful of Republican militiamen, guided by an American volunteer from the International Brigades, attempt to carry out the mission of blowing up a bridge.
The brutalities of war, committed by both sides. The camaraderie, anxieties, and quarrels of living closely together in the midst of danger. The romance between the American and the young María. Hemingway masterfully intertwines the action, the love story, and the psychological portrait of the characters.
Literarily, the strength of the work lies in its monologues and dialogues. With a laconic style and simple, immediate language, Hemingway uses them to bring out his favorite themes: the fatalism toward death, which dignifies man; solidarity; the absurdity of war… The descriptions of regional customs are also valuable.
The perspective is that of the Republican side, to which the characters belong. This results in some critical references to the Church, but the murder of a priest is also shown. Although it is not an ideologized novel, the communist combatants are portrayed in a somewhat romanticized way. The love plot develops outside moral norms, accepting premarital relationships.
Formally, this allows for a somewhat crude sensual passage and a couple of awkward situations, without explicit descriptions. Occasionally, this permissiveness prompts references to religion and sin, made respectfully, but showing the characters’ lack of education (love erases sin, the decision to marry in the Church is already made, etc.). In reproducing colloquial language, Hemingway is restrained: while some coarse expressions appear, they are often replaced by phrases like “he uttered a string of obscenities,” etc.
E.F. – J.M.