In Ernest Hemingway's novel For Whom the Bell Tolls, published in 1940, a range of concepts and ideas are introduced. Hemingway places images of nature in the text to contrast with the destruction that is war and to create a visible contradiction. The imagery of the pine tree, in particular, plays a vital role in the novel, functioning as an steadfast symbol in a world that evolves with many changes in the space of just a few days. This becomes a control variable, the basis on which all text rests. Additionally, pine trees are objects that Hemingway uses to show the role of mother nature. In the work, the pine tree serves as a constant shelter, basis of relationship, and stimulus for Jordan to become one with nature in a perpetual environment provided by discontinuity throughout the text. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Throughout Robert Jordan's journey, the imagery of the pine tree is used as a form of shelter from war. This happens when Anselmo, a peaceful character, looks at the road while counting enemy vehicles. Anselmo “did not begin to climb the hillside but remained leaning against the sheltered side of the pine tree” (192). This passage explicitly states that the pine tree provides shelter. Thanks to Anselm standing under this pine tree, he is removed from the war and therefore safe from fighting. However, Pilar, a more violent character, intends to come out from under the pine tree and fight back. She exclaims: “Then calm down. There's plenty of time left. What a day it is and how glad I am not to be in the pines. You can’t imagine how anyone can get tired of pine trees” (96). Pilar validates her anxiety to leave and fight for the republic. She feels that by waiting in the shade of the pine tree, they are not helping the cause as they should. The sheltering pines theory is also reinforced. Furthermore, Pilar states, “I like pine trees, but we have been in these pine trees too long” (97). For Pilar, the pine trees prevented her from contributing usefully to the rebellion. Shelter can be seen from two different angles, that of its refuge and that of its restriction, but it continues in its constancy. Although these examples contrast, they continue to provide additional evidence that pine serves as a shelter from war. Just before Jordan died citing his injuries, he was “out in the open” (460). After emerging from the pine tree, Jordan enters the battle and suddenly becomes a target after leaving his safe 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 pine trees); and not during the war. In these actions, the loss of the pine tree results in the immediate disappearance of Jordan. Not only does the pine tree provide sanctuary, but it also serves as a foundation for the relationships between the characters. 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 him and Maria, built a bed out of spruce (a type of pine), "earlier in the evening he had taken the ax and walked out of the cave and walked into the new snow for the edge of the clearing and cut down a small spruce tree” (258). This demonstrates how the 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 crumbles beneath them. At the moment when Jordan has to leave Maria to blow up the bridge, he says and thinks: "You can tell me about Madrid", he says and thinks: I will save any excess for tomorrow. I'll need all of this tomorrow. There is noof pine needles who need them now as I will need them tomorrow” (342). Jordan believes that as long as the pine tree is present, his relationship with Maria will be present. He rejects the idea of ​​Madrid because he feels it will worry him and he believes that being a war thinker will lead to his death. It also reveals Jordan's transformation from soldier to lover. His mission is to live and return to a new life that was formed and all of this took place under the pines and on the pine needles. Confirming how the pine tree becomes a catalyst for Jordan's change and stems his desire. Overall, as long as the pine tree remains, Jordan can live without the threat of death and continue his conversion. Although the pine tree is a base, it serves another purpose by remaining a constant force throughout the novel. The pine trees also 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 toward being connected to nature. As the work progresses, the details of the land become much more detailed and play a vital role. This change reveals how Jordan is slowly getting closer to the earth, and to become one with the earth, Jordan will experience death to come full circle. Jordan reflects: “How little we know of what there is to know...I have learned much about life in these four days: more, I think, than in any other time” (380 ). This acknowledges that Jordan was theoretically born at the beginning of the novel and has lived fully in the last four days. During this period, he gained full resolve and became one with nature. However, to complete this journey, death must ensue, otherwise he cannot fully become one with mother nature. Moreover, the very first words of the novel, Jordan, "lay flat on the brown, pine-needled ground of the forest, his chin on his crossed arms, and above his head the wind blew on the tops of the pine trees”. (1). For his part, Jordan is on his stomach, his heart resting on the pine needles, but the last lines of the work are: "He was waiting for the officer to reach the sunny spot where the first trees of the pine forest joined the green slope of the meadow. He felt his heart beating against the pine-needle-covered ground of the forest” (471). At first glance there is little difference between the two passages, however, upon closer inspection one notices a few 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 as close as possible to death. This is supported by Hemingway's use of detail in nature, which increases as the text progresses. This illustrates how his transformation is complete and how he has come full circle. Throughout his final days, he experiences true love and happiness, giving him a fulfilling life. Throughout all this emotion, the pine tree remains the same, unchanging and lifeless. Despite suffering a fatal wound outside the pine tree, when he was brought back inside, injured and near death, Jordan became more alive than ever. He had said that he had 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 tree remains stable while everything around it changes. The consistency of the pine throughout the text serves as a counterbalance and reference point to Jordan's unity with nature. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay As a part of nature that speaks to the characters' conscience, pine is an integral part of..