The Sun Also Rises
question
Discussion of the plot and characters.
Hunter
Aug 02, 2013 08:45AM
I finished reading this book a few weeks ago but I feel as if I still have not fully understood what it's about. Why did Ernest Hemingway end the book the way he did? What is the significance of each character? What is the major idea behind the Bulls? Overall of how you would rate the book and why?
overall rating was a 5/5 from me. I loved this book, but I'm biased as I love Hemingway's work.
I'm going to be egotistical and answer all of your questions, but only in the hopes that others will add to the discourse through disagreement, other insights and their own awesomeness!
1. Hemingway ends the book with that heart-wrenching line from Jake to Brett "It's pretty to think things like that isn't it?" I loved that line it was like the finishing punch in a fist fight. Jake says that because Brett decided she was going back to Mike. Brett and Jake are obviously in love but they can never be sexual as Jake's injury in the Great War rendered him impotent. Hemingway pays women a HUGE compliment by pointing out that we are sexual beings too, and don't just fall in love to live this chaste pure life. Unfortunately Brett is a bit of a shit. So that ending, to me, is the farewell kick in the teeth that you get at the end of a great novel. It's the door slamming shut as your boyfriend leaves, not for another girl but because he's just not into you. Damn, Hemingway I love you!
2. Holy shit, EACH character? Nah, I'm waiting for others to tackle this. Jake is the disillusionment expatriate. He fought for his country (well, for his own greater glory too) and for this his manhood was stripped. He now has have a life that he fills with drinking and watching bullfights. Also, he loves things but will destroy them just as quickly. Example - the young bullfighter that the town just worships. Jake agrees with his Spanish friends that American women destroy bullfighters, and that the young man should be kept away from girls to concentrate on bull fighting. So the next day Jake introduces him to Brett. Yup, it's like finding that perfect Tiffany lamp and smashing it with a hammer because you love it. Very Ayn Rand in a sort of way but without all the Republican nonsense. He's sort of the reader, but Hemingway is always careful to not let his audience in too much. There's this aloofness to his stories that keeps us at a distance. Brett is not a representative of "everywoman" she just Brett. But read some of Hemingway's short stories and you'll see his understanding of women is both a compliment and condemnation.
3. The bulls are Jake as I see it. but that's arguable and frankly I'd like to know what you think.
This book was awesome and ass-kicking. Write back and share your thoughts. This was a great discussion starter, thanks.
I'm going to be egotistical and answer all of your questions, but only in the hopes that others will add to the discourse through disagreement, other insights and their own awesomeness!
1. Hemingway ends the book with that heart-wrenching line from Jake to Brett "It's pretty to think things like that isn't it?" I loved that line it was like the finishing punch in a fist fight. Jake says that because Brett decided she was going back to Mike. Brett and Jake are obviously in love but they can never be sexual as Jake's injury in the Great War rendered him impotent. Hemingway pays women a HUGE compliment by pointing out that we are sexual beings too, and don't just fall in love to live this chaste pure life. Unfortunately Brett is a bit of a shit. So that ending, to me, is the farewell kick in the teeth that you get at the end of a great novel. It's the door slamming shut as your boyfriend leaves, not for another girl but because he's just not into you. Damn, Hemingway I love you!
2. Holy shit, EACH character? Nah, I'm waiting for others to tackle this. Jake is the disillusionment expatriate. He fought for his country (well, for his own greater glory too) and for this his manhood was stripped. He now has have a life that he fills with drinking and watching bullfights. Also, he loves things but will destroy them just as quickly. Example - the young bullfighter that the town just worships. Jake agrees with his Spanish friends that American women destroy bullfighters, and that the young man should be kept away from girls to concentrate on bull fighting. So the next day Jake introduces him to Brett. Yup, it's like finding that perfect Tiffany lamp and smashing it with a hammer because you love it. Very Ayn Rand in a sort of way but without all the Republican nonsense. He's sort of the reader, but Hemingway is always careful to not let his audience in too much. There's this aloofness to his stories that keeps us at a distance. Brett is not a representative of "everywoman" she just Brett. But read some of Hemingway's short stories and you'll see his understanding of women is both a compliment and condemnation.
3. The bulls are Jake as I see it. but that's arguable and frankly I'd like to know what you think.
This book was awesome and ass-kicking. Write back and share your thoughts. This was a great discussion starter, thanks.
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Aug 20, 2013 11:37PM