Zero Degree Writing In Ernest Hemingway’s A Farewell To Arms

A Farewell to Arms is one of the novels written by American novelist Ernest Hemingway.Since publication of the novel,scholars at home and abroad have presented comprehensive and multi-perspective researches.However,there are few comparative researches between Hemingway?s creation style and Roland Barthes?s zero degree writing theory.In fact,Hemingway?s creative idea and writing style are similar to Barthes?s zero degree writing theory?s conception and characteristics.These characteristics are obviously embodied in the techniques,narration and significance expression in A Farewell to Arms.Technically,Hemingway used pure diction and intuitional layout to present the neutral state.In terms of diction,he recorded the actual situation of the story with the help of plain description,short dialogues and fragmented depiction.In terms of layout,he adopted symmetrical chapter layout,double-clue theme setting and blank epilogue design to promote plot development.As for narration,Hemingway used absent narrative voice and ingenious narrative point of view to conceal the subjectivity and achieve the effect of“no intervention”.The absent narrative voice mainly reflects in potential dialogues,camera technique and repeated symbolic hints.The ingenious narrative point of view is contained in compound narrative point of view,balance between the experiential self and the narrative self and appropriate point of view on time and space.In terms of significance expression,Hemingway?s writing is non-utilitarian and non-mission.The significance of such non-utilitarianism is expressed in a progressive manifestation of primitive emotion,true mind and life perception.In this way,Hemingway has made an emotional resonance with readers and expressed the attitude of maintaining one?s will and indomitable spirit in face of suffering and failure.Such commonality between Hemingway?s creation and Barthes?s theory is not by chance.Hemingway and Barthes share similarities on both historical era and literary conception,which enable them to present zero degree writing in different times.However,there are differences between them in the specific manifestation of zero degree writing.“Zero degree writing” presented by Hemingway is an “experience omission” through writing techniques with the help of iceberg principle.He omitted the contents that can be filled with experience by imagination,thus keeping the concise style and mobilizing reader?s participation.“Zero degree writing” formed by Barthes is based on advocating the principle of “free writing”.That is,the writer should return language to freedom in a real and objective way and make a breakthrough in the level of language,thus abandoning the utilitarian color to keep the purity of writing.In this sense,Hemingway and Barthes have conducted an intergenerational dialogue through “zero degree writing”.This not only reflects the importance of returning creation focus to work itself,but also provides abundant inspiration for later literary creation.