For Whom the Bell Tolls Plot :: essays research papers

For Whom the Bell Tolls; Synopsis   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Robert Jordan is the protagonist of this novel and the plot revolves around him, his conflicts, and his newfound love as I will reveal. Robert Jordan is an American, who lived in Spain for ten years, he is an expert in dynamite, and he is devoted to the Republican cause in the Spanish civil war. A Russian officer, General Golz, send Jordan on a dangerous mission to blow up a key bridge in an offensive behind enemy lines, in the Sierra Mountains. Anselmo an old Spaniard, guides Jordan past enemy lines to see the bridge, which was guarded by fascists on both sides. After that Anselmo takes Jordan to meet the guerilla band he will be working with on this mission.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The leader of the guerilla band is a man named Pablo. Pablo once was a feared an honorable man but throughout the book his respect diminishes. Pablo is against Jordan's mission right from the start because he thinks Jordan is there to get their band out of the mountains. Pablo is important to the plot because he provides a challenge for Jordan that results in the death of Anselmo, Jordan's friend.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When they get to the guerilla cave, they sit down to eat and drink wine, then Maria enters, bearing food. Maria is a Spanish girl who was rescued from the fasicists by the guerilla band when they were on a mission to blow up a train. Jordan notices Maria and is instantaneously attracted to her. Jordan also meets Pilar, Pablo's woman, who fights alongside the band. Pilar is a strong woman and her leadership ability is displayed later when she takes over the band. Pilar encourages Jordan to pursue Maria, but she warns him to take care of her, for she has undergone tremendous trauma.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Jordan and Anselmo leave to inspect the bridge. Jordan sketches it and takes notes on the best way to place the explosives. On the way back to the cave the two men discuss war. Anselmo believes it is a sin to kill even in war, but he claims he will kill for the cause. Jordan says he is fully prepared to kill the enemy. When they are not far from the cave they encounter Agustin who was on guard. Agustin warns Jordan to protect his explosives from Pablo.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Everybody hushes up when Jordan enters, indicating they had been talking about him.