The phrase "ask not for whom the bell tolls" is a reference to a famous line from the poem "Meditation XVII" by John Donne, which goes:

Ask not for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.

Meaning and Context

• Literal meaning: The tolling of a bell traditionally signals a death or a funeral.
• Figurative meaning: Donne's meditation emphasizes the interconnectedness of humanity. When a bell tolls for someone’s death, it is a reminder that death affects us all because we are all part of the human community.
• It suggests that one should not ask who has died (for whom the bell tolls) because the loss affects everyone, including yourself.

Cultural Impact

• The phrase was popularized in modern times by Ernest Hemingway’s novel "For Whom the Bell Tolls" (1940), which explores themes of war, death, and solidarity.

If you want, I can provide more detailed analysis or context about the poem, the novel, or the phrase itself!