Read the excerpt from Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms. The major asked me to have a drink with him and two other officers. We drank rum and it was very friendly. Outside it was getting dark. I asked what time the attack was to be and they said as soon as it was dark. The casual behavior of the characters during a difficult time demonstrates Hemingway’s belief that a hero should exhibit grace under pressure. recognize the meaningless of life. have a mentor to follow. learn from his mistakes.