Maria
Maria is considered one of the main characters in For Whom the Bell Tolls since there is a big focus on her relationship with Robert Jordan and how this relationship and her presence changes him. Even though she is a main character there is not a large focus on her as a person and Hemingway never describes her personality. In the book there is Hemingway focuses on Maria’s appearance, she has shortly cropped hair (because the fascists shaved hear head when she was captured) and a beautiful body. One example of this focus on Marias exterior is seen on pages 167-168 when Maria is asking Robert Jordan if she “pleases” him since it is her role as his “woman” to please him in all ways. She asks if she pleases him and explains that her hair will look better soon. Robert answers that she is beautiful as she is now. Maria is still worried because she is scared that she will not please him when her hair is growing out since it will look ugly. To this Robert simply replies that she has a lovely body, the loveliest in the world. From this scene it can be learnt that Marias main goal in life is to please Robert Jordan. This is done both by her appearance and, as we learn at another point in the book, looking after his every need. If Maria is not beautiful and does not look after him she will not please him. This is frightening since it indicates that her personality does not matter as much as her appearance and her actions do. In the book there is no focus on Marias personality since it does not matter. The focus lies on her relationship with Robert Jordan and her will to please him.
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Robert Jordan
An analysis of how Robert Jordan’s view on death and war changes throughout the book.
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Pablo
For Whom the Bell Tolls Zine 