For Whom the Bell Tolls Summary

For Whom the Bell Tolls is a literature novel by Ernest Hemingway published in the 1940. For Whom the Bell Tolls tells us the story of Robert Jordan, a youthful American volunteer affiliated with a Republican guerrilla squad amid the Spanish Civil War.

Summary of For Whom the Bell Tolls Book

Jordan, an expert in dynamite, receives orders from the Russian leader General Golz, who leads international brigades, to bomb the bridge as part of a fascist attack. Golz is only interested in applying military tactics as a means to an end and mocks the success of the Spanish villagers.

Anselmo, a former guide, takes Jordan to an abandoned cave in the forest where men who will help him complete his mission are hiding. The guerrillas Jordan meets no longer want to participate in the war. They meet Agustin in the forest, and upon seeing them, he visibly relaxes as he had forgotten the code for their location. Rafael, a gypsy who, despite being a security guard, is only interested in making jokes.

After being injured in his last mission, a train explosion, Jordan learns about Kashkin, a former foreign dynamite expert who ironically killed himself. However, the most mocking and depressive guerrilla leader is Pablo. Despite being a brave man in the past, Pablo now wants to return to the village and raise the horses he took as loot. Conflicts arise between Pablo and Jordan as Pablo opposes involving a stranger that could endanger his and the group’s lives.

One Bridge, One Love, One Homeland: Hemingway’s Masterpiece For Whom the Bell Tolls

In the camp, there are two women: Pablo’s wife Pilar and a girl named Maria rescued from a war prisoner train. Despite her short-cut hair and evident mental damage caused by the fascists, Maria is beautiful. Pilar, known for her courage, is an unattractive woman. While Pablo loses his courage and enthusiasm shown at the beginning of the war, Pilar maintains the unity of the group. Pilar, a gypsy, reads Jordan’s palm after their introduction, predicting a dark future without providing details.

Pablo’s cowardice soon forces him to hand over power to his brave wife, Pilar. Pablo declares his opposition to blowing up the bridge, but Pilar supports Robert Jordan, and the men agree with the same decision. After the conflict, Rafael tells Jordan that he should kill Pablo and seek the support of the guerrillas. Jordan believes this would be murder. Throughout the novel, Pablo continues to torment Jordan, making him question if he made the right decision.

The only person motivating Jordan is Anselmo, a former guide who faithfully awaits Jordan in his mission despite the impending storm that will drive him away. In addition to being a dedicated soldier, Anselmo is known as a true humanitarian. The thought of losing his life in the bridge attack never leaves his mind, but he fears Jordan might order him to kill another person. He sees the enemy not as demonic fascists but as poor villagers like themselves.

When Pablo deceives Jordan about his relationship with Maria, trouble arises again. Jordan tries to persuade him to fight, as it would be a good time to kill him for the mission. However, Pablo refuses to take the bait, reverting to a collaborative attitude. Jordan trusts him even less, and he becomes increasingly worried about the success of the mission. Therefore, Jordan feels that time is running out, as indicated by his urgent need to fall in love with Maria.

For Whom the Bell Tolls: Jordan’s Last Breath and the Guerrilla Group’s Last Effort

The next morning, Jordan is awakened by the sounds of approaching enemy cavalry. He shoots a soldier, and the camp, without any orders, frantically arms themselves with a machine gun. Tension rises as fascist troops pass through the camp. When Agustin wants to kill the passing soldiers, Jordan sets an example of calmness for his men. The night before the attack is eventful. Mario is injured, so the couple discusses their future and the happiness of finding each other. However, Jordan believes that the inability to make love is a bad sign. When Pilar wakes him up with the news that Jordan’s dynamite has been discovered, the imagination becomes a reality.

Andrew is stopped by the indifference and ineffectiveness of his loyal army and fails to deliver the message to General Golz in time. The bombing of the bridge must continue. At the bridge, Jordan instructs Anselmo to tearfully kill the guard. Later, they dynamite the bridge, and Anselmo is killed by a falling rock. Pablo, Pilar, Maria, Primitivo, and Agustin are the only surviving guerrillas in the subsequent conflicts.

While escaping on horseback, Jordan is shot and cannot flee. He tells Mario that he will always be alone and refuses mercy. His comrades give him a machine gun to defend himself against the approaching enemy. In agony and with suicidal thoughts, Jordan fights to buy time for the escaping prisoners. The novel ends with Jordan awaiting his certain death on the forest-covered ground where he first appeared in the opening act.