For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway is set during the Spanish Civil War, which devastated the Spanish nation from 1936 to 1939. The conflict began after an attempted coup of state d'état by a group of Spanish generals against the regime of the Second Spanish Republic, under the leadership of Manuel Azaña. The nationalist coup was supported by the conservative Spanish Confederation of the autonomous right, the Carlist monarchists and the fascist Falange. The events of the story center on Robert Jordan, an American volunteer of the Republican guerrilla band. Jordan and the guerrilla band attempt to defend Spain from the nationalist coup and preserve their way of life. However, the Republicans are unsuccessful as the Nationalists gain victory, overthrow the government, and General Francisco Franco becomes dictator of Spain. The actions of people like Robert Jordan reveal that Spain was worth the enormous price to fight because the guerrillas want to preserve and protect their ideals and way of life. Throughout the story, most of the action takes place just north of the Nationalist-occupied zone. Madrid, in the Guadarrama chain, where the republican guerrilla band remains hidden. The setting is very symbolic because the camp is a relaxing haven for safety, while the rest of Spain is in considerable turmoil. The hideout also offers temporary safety to Maria, a young woman from the guerrilla gang, after she was raped and imprisoned by nationalists. The shelter offers Maria the opportunity to recover physically and mentally from the trauma she experienced. Robert Jordan then has the opportunity to reflect on his reasons for participating in the war and realizes that he is in love with Maria. Jordan is also… middle of paper… The Spanish Civil War brought out many of the true qualities and attributes of the Republican guerrilla band because they were willing to risk everything to preserve and protect their way of life. life. The gang is surrounded by enemy troops at the foot of the mountain and enemy planes above them, indicating that the group faces almost certain death every day. However, the guerrilla band is still brave enough to plan an offensive deep into enemy lines against the nationalists, even when they are pushed into the corner of war. The Republican guerrilla is willing to pay the ultimate price to preserve and protect their nation and their way of life. Works Cited Hemingway, Ernest. For whom the bell tolls. New York: Scribner, 1996. Kagan, Donald, Steven Ozment, and Frank M. Turner. The Western legacy. 9th ed. vol. A. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 2006.