Short Summary
The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway is a novel of the "Lost Generation," depicting a group of expatriates in post-World War I Europe as they navigate love, disillusionment, and the search for meaning against the backdrop of Parisian nightlife and the bullfights of Pamplona, Spain.
Book Information
Title: The Sun Also Rises
Author: Ernest Hemingway
ISBN: 978-0743297332
Genres: Literary Fiction, Modernist Literature, Historical Fiction
Published: 1926
In-Depth Summary of The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
Introduction
Published in 1926, The Sun Also Rises is considered one of Ernest Hemingway’s most iconic novels and an essential work of modernist literature. It paints a vivid picture of the "Lost Generation"—a term used to describe the disillusioned young people who came of age during or after World War I. This semi-autobiographical novel reflects Hemingway’s own experiences as an expatriate in Europe, following a circle of friends who drift through Paris and Spain in search of purpose. Their lives are marked by unfulfilled desires, existential angst, and the brutal aftermath of the war. Through Hemingway’s sparse and direct prose, The Sun Also Rises captures the feelings of alienation, moral decay, and lost values that characterized an entire generation.
Plot Overview
Part I: Life in Paris
The novel opens with Jake Barnes, the protagonist and narrator, who works as a journalist in Paris. He introduces Robert Cohn, a wealthy Jewish American writer, who has grown dissatisfied with his life and relationships. Cohn, who feels out of place and unfulfilled, becomes a contrast to Jake’s weary pragmatism. While Jake has grown cynical from his experiences in the war, Cohn is idealistic, yearning for romance and adventure.
Key Characters Introduced in Paris:
- Jake Barnes: An American journalist living in Paris, wounded in the war, whose injury has left him impotent. His feelings for Lady Brett Ashley are deep yet complex, as his injury prevents them from a traditional relationship.
- Robert Cohn: A wealthy Jewish-American writer who becomes infatuated with Brett. He is restless and romantic, often viewed as naïve by the others.
- Lady Brett Ashley: A beautiful and charismatic British woman with whom Jake is in love. Brett’s allure and wild, liberated lifestyle make her the center of attention among the male characters, but she remains elusive and unattainable.
In Paris, Hemingway paints a vivid image of the city’s nightlife and the expatriate community’s indulgence in drinking, dancing, and gambling. Brett’s presence in Jake’s life adds an emotional layer to his otherwise detached demeanor. However, Jake’s impotence due to his war injury casts a shadow over his relationship with Brett, who clearly reciprocates his affection but cannot fully commit to him. This unresolvable tension between Jake and Brett underpins much of the novel’s exploration of love and disillusionment.
Part II: The Journey to Spain
Seeking a break from their aimless lives in Paris, Jake, Brett, and their friends decide to travel to Pamplona, Spain, to attend the Festival of San Fermín and witness the famous running of the bulls. This part of the novel represents both an escape and a search for meaning. The journey to Spain is a hopeful attempt to break free from the ennui and emotional emptiness of their lives in Paris.
The group includes:
- Bill Gorton: Jake’s friend, an American writer, who is cynical and provides comic relief with his humor and wit.
- Mike Campbell: Brett’s fiancé, a Scottish war veteran who is often drunk and exhibits jealousy and frustration over Brett’s flirtations with other men.
As the group arrives in Spain, the novel shifts in tone and becomes more vivid and intense. The descriptions of the Spanish countryside, the people, and the customs reflect Hemingway’s admiration for Spanish culture. The simplicity and beauty of life in Spain serve as a stark contrast to the debauchery of Paris.
Part III: The Bullfights and the Festival of San Fermín
The festival is filled with excitement, danger, and the thrill of bullfighting, which Hemingway describes with reverence and attention to detail. The intensity of the bullfights mirrors the underlying tensions among the group, particularly concerning Brett’s relationships. During the festival, Brett becomes infatuated with Pedro Romero, a talented and handsome young bullfighter. This infatuation leads her to pursue a romantic relationship with him, despite being engaged to Mike and aware of Jake’s feelings.
Key Events in Pamplona:
- Brett’s Affair with Pedro Romero: Brett’s attraction to Romero represents her longing for purity and strength, qualities she feels are absent in the men of her social circle. Romero embodies the Spanish ideals of masculinity and grace, and Brett is drawn to his skill and confidence in the bullring. However, her relationship with Romero ultimately highlights her inability to settle or find fulfillment.
- Conflict with Robert Cohn: Cohn, unable to accept Brett’s interest in Romero, becomes increasingly volatile and confrontational. His obsession with Brett, combined with his sense of being an outsider among Jake’s friends, leads him to violent outbursts. He fights Jake and later assaults Romero, humiliating himself in the process. This conflict emphasizes Cohn’s misplaced ideals and his struggle to fit in with the group.
Symbolism of the Bullfight
The bullfight is central to The Sun Also Rises, symbolizing both the beauty and brutality of life. Romero’s control in the bullring contrasts sharply with the characters’ lack of direction and purpose. For Jake, the bullfights represent a ritualistic display of courage and skill, something he admires deeply but feels distanced from. The spectacle of the bullfights, with their primal energy and tension, serves as a metaphor for the characters’ internal struggles—particularly the unspoken competition and jealousy among the men vying for Brett’s attention.
The Novel’s Climax and Conclusion
Following the events in Pamplona, the group begins to fall apart. Romero ultimately leaves Brett, unable to reconcile his cultural values with her liberated lifestyle. Cohn, humiliated and heartbroken, departs as well, leaving the others disillusioned and fractured. The festival, once seen as a possible source of renewal, has only underscored the emptiness and unresolved emotions within each character.
After the festival, Brett sends a telegram to Jake, asking for help after her relationship with Romero ends. Jake, still deeply attached to her, travels to Madrid to rescue her, despite knowing that they cannot be together. The novel ends with Jake and Brett reflecting on their relationship, realizing that although they love each other, they can never truly be together. This resignation captures the disillusionment and sense of loss that permeate the novel.
Character Analysis
- Jake Barnes: Jake’s injury serves as both a physical and emotional barrier, preventing him from achieving intimacy with Brett. His stoic acceptance of his limitations reflects Hemingway’s "code hero" ideal—one who endures suffering with dignity and grace.
- Lady Brett Ashley: Brett’s charisma and beauty make her irresistible, yet her inability to find satisfaction in love or commitment renders her tragic. She embodies the consequences of the sexual and social liberation of the post-war era.
- Robert Cohn: Cohn represents the outsider within the group, whose romantic idealism clashes with the jaded cynicism of his friends. His desperation and humiliation reflect his misplaced faith in traditional values of love and honor.
- Pedro Romero: As a symbol of traditional masculinity and artistry, Romero embodies the passion and discipline that the others lack. His brief relationship with Brett highlights the contrast between the Spanish values he represents and the moral ambiguity of the expatriates.
Themes and Motifs
Disillusionment and the "Lost Generation"
The characters’ aimless lives and lack of purpose underscore the disillusionment of the Lost Generation. The war has left them emotionally and morally adrift, unable to find meaning or fulfillment in their relationships or pursuits. Their repeated indulgence in alcohol, travel, and superficial pleasures is a futile attempt to escape their inner emptiness.
Masculinity and Identity
The novel explores notions of masculinity through the contrasting character traits of Jake, Cohn, and Romero. While Cohn’s actions are driven by insecurity and a need to prove himself, Romero’s skill and bravery exemplify a traditional, disciplined masculinity that Jake admires but feels distanced from.
Love and Unattainable Desire
The central love triangle—or rather, polygon—between Jake, Brett, Cohn, and Romero underscores the pain of unrequited love and unattainable desire. Jake’s inability to be with Brett, despite their mutual affection, exemplifies the theme of unfulfilled love that pervades the novel.
Memorable Quotes
On disillusionment:
"You can't get away from yourself by moving from one place to another."
On love and regret:
"Isn’t it pretty to think so?"
On the fragility of ideals:
"The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places."
Conclusion
The Sun Also Rises captures the disillusionment, longing, and aimlessness of a generation forever changed by the horrors of war. Hemingway’s portrayal of Jake, Brett, and their circle of friends resonates as both a critique of the moral emptiness of post-war society and a deeply personal exploration of love, masculinity, and the human need for purpose. The novel’s sparse prose, rich symbolism, and complex characters make it one of Hemingway’s most enduring works. Through the emotional