A number of concepts and ideas are introduced in Ernest Hemingway's novel For Whom the Bell Tolls, published in 1940. Hemingway inserts images of nature within the text to contrast the destruction represented by war and to create a visible contradiction. Pine tree imagery, in particular, plays a vital role in the novel, functioning as a constant symbol in a world that spins with many changes in the span of a few days. It becomes a control variable, the foundation on which all text rests. Furthermore, pine trees are objects that Hemingway uses to exhibit the role of mother nature. Within the work, the pine tree serves as a constant refuge, relationship base, and stimulant for Jordan as he becomes one with nature in a perpetual environment brought about by discontinuity throughout the text. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Throughout Robert Jordan's journey, pine imagery is used as a form of shelter from war. This happens when Anselmo, a peaceful character, looks out onto the road counting enemy vehicles. Anselmo “did not set off towards the hill but remained leaning against the sheltered side of the pine” (192). This passage explicitly states that the pine tree provides shelter. Standing under this pine tree Anselmo is removed from the war and therefore safe from the fighting. However, Pilar, a more violent character, is intent on coming out from under the pine tree and taking revenge. She exclaims, “Then calm down. There's a lot of time. What a day it is and how glad I am not to be among the pines. You can't imagine how anyone could get tired of pine trees” (96). Pilar confirms her eagerness to leave and fight for the republic. He feels that by waiting in the shade of the pine tree they are not helping the cause as they should. The pine trees providing shelter theory is also strengthened. Furthermore, Pilar states, “I like pines, but we have been among these pines too long” (97). For Pilar, the pine trees prevented her from contributing in a valuable way to the rebellion. Refuge can be seen from two different perspectives, that of its refuge and that of its restriction, but it continues in its constancy. While these examples contrast, they continue to provide further evidence showing that pine serves as a shelter from war. Immediately before death from injury, Jordan was “out in the open” (460). After exiting the pine tree, Jordan enters battle and suddenly becomes a target after exiting his comfort zone. Although the pine tree is only a physical object, it is a representation of mother nature watching over them while they are under her arm(the pines); and not at war. In these actions, the loss of the pine leads to Jordan's immediate demise. The pine not only provides shelter, but also serves as the basis for the characters' relationships. The pine tree is used as a way to form and become the basis of the relationships between the characters, namely Jordan and Maria. Jordan, in an attempt to build a bed for himself and Maria, builds a bed of spruce (a type of pine), “early in the evening he had taken the ax and gone out of the cave and walked through the fresh snow to the edge of the clearing and cut down a small spruce” (258). This demonstrates how pine is used to structure the relationship. Jordan and Maria are as strong as the pine tree, and if the pine tree breaks, their relationship collapses. At the moment when Jordan has to move away from Maria to blow up the bridge, he says and thinks: "You can tell me about Madrid", he said and thought: any excess supply I will save for tomorrow. I'll need everything there is tomorrow. There are no pine needles that need them now because I will need them tomorrow” (342). Jordan believes that as long as Pine is present, his relationship with Maria will be. Postponethe idea of ​​Madrid because he feels it will worry him and he believes that being a thinker at war will lead to his death. Furthermore, this reveals Jordan's transformation from soldier to lover. His mission is to live and return to a new life that was formed and everything took place under the pines and on the pine needles. Confirming how the pine becomes a catalyst for Jordan's change and limits his desire. Overall, as long as the pine tree remains, Jordan can continue to live without the threat of death and continue his conversion. Although the pine is the foundation, it serves another purpose: to keep it as a constant force throughout the novel. Even the pine trees remain constant as Jordan becomes one with nature, surrounded by the changing environment in which he finds himself. Throughout the text, Jordan experiences a slow shift towards being connected to nature. As the work progresses, the detail of the land becomes much more detailed and takes a leading role. This change reveals how Jordan slowly approaches the earth, and in order to become completely one with the earth, he will experience death to close the circle. Jordan thinks, “How little we know of what there is to know…I have learned a great deal about life in these four days: more, I think, than in any other time” (380). This recognizes that Jordan was theoretically born at the beginning of the novel and came to life fully in the last four days. During this time he made a complete decision and became one with nature. However, to complete this journey, death must follow, otherwise he cannot become fully one with mother nature. Furthermore, the very first words of the novel, Jordan, "lay stretched out on the brown, pine-needled floor of the forest, her chin on her crossed arms, and above the wind blew through the tops of the pines." (1). Jordan, on the other hand, is lying on the ground, on his stomach, with his heart resting on the pine needles, however the final lines of the work are: “He was waiting for the officer to reach the sunny place where the first trees of the pine forest came together to the green slope of the meadow. He could feel his heart beating against the pine needle-covered forest floor” (471). At first glance, there is little difference between the two steps, however, when looking deeper, there are some key differences. In the second quote, Jordan's heart beats against the earth despite his proximity to death. An idea reinforced by the concept of living longer when you are closer to death. This is supported by Hemingway's use of nature details which increase as the text progresses. This exemplifies how his transformation has been completed and how he has come full circle. During his last days he experiences true love and happiness, giving him a fulfilling life, throughout all these emotions, the pine tree remains the same, unchanging and lifeless. Despite suffering a fatal injury outside the pine tree, when he was dragged back in, injured and near death, Jordan became more alive than ever. He had claimed to have experienced more in his few days in the cave than in his entire life. It is for this reason that the pine represents an immutable constant. The pine stands still while the world changes around him. The texture of the pine throughout the text serves as a counterbalance and reference point for Jordan's unity with nature. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a custom essay As part of nature speaking In the consciousness of the characters, the pine is an integral part of For Whom the Bell Tolls. It serves as a refuge, a basis of relationships and balance in all phases of the novel. Its influence on the text is not measurable and provides a point of reference. Hemingway succeeds.