“The Sun Also Rises” by Ernest Hemingway introduces an ensemble of compelling characters whose lives intertwine amidst the post-World War I era: Jake Barnes, a disillusioned war veteran; Brett Ashley, a captivating and enigmatic socialite; Robert Cohn, a wealthy Jewish American writer; and Pedro Romero, an acclaimed bullfighter.
The Sun Also Rises Character Structure
The 1926 novel “The Sun Also Rises” by Ernest Hemingway is a classic work of American literature that follows a group of disillusioned young people living in Paris in the 1920s. The characters in the novel are complex and multifaceted, each with their own unique motivations and struggles.
Main Characters:
- Jake Barnes: The protagonist of the novel, Jake is an American expatriate who was wounded in World War I and is now impotent. He is a complex character who is both cynical and sensitive, and he struggles to come to terms with his physical and emotional scars.
- Lady Brett Ashley: Brett is a beautiful and enigmatic woman who is Jake’s love interest. She is a free-spirited woman who is attracted to danger and excitement, and she has a string of failed relationships.
- Robert Cohn: Cohn is a wealthy American Jew who is in love with Brett. He is a sensitive and insecure man who is unable to accept Brett’s rejection of him.
- Michael Campbell: Mike is a wealthy British man who is Brett’s current love interest. He is a charming and good-natured man, but he is also a bit of a cad.
Supporting Characters:
The Group of Friends:
– Bill Gorton: An American newspaper correspondent who is Jake’s best friend.
– Harris: A wealthy American who is part of Jake’s group of friends.
– Count Mippipopolous: A Spanish count who is a friend of Mike’s.
The Bullfighting World:
– Pedro Romero: A young and talented bullfighter who is the object of Jake’s admiration.
– Juan Belmonte: An older, more experienced bullfighter who is Pedro’s mentor.
– Antonio Ordonez: A rival bullfighter who is jealous of Pedro’s success.
Character Relationships:
The relationships between the characters in “The Sun Also Rises” are complex and often troubled. Jake and Brett are in love, but their relationship is complicated by Jake’s impotence. Cohn is in love with Brett, but she does not return his feelings. Mike is Brett’s current love interest, but he is not as serious about her as she is about him.
Jake and Brett
– Jake and Brett are in love, but their relationship is complicated by Jake’s impotence.
– Jake is deeply in love with Brett, but he struggles to accept his own limitations.
– Brett is attracted to Jake’s sensitivity and intelligence, but she is also frustrated by his inability to satisfy her physically.
Cohn and Brett
– Cohn is in love with Brett, but she does not return his feelings.
– Cohn is a sensitive and insecure man who is unable to accept Brett’s rejection of him.
– Brett is attracted to Cohn’s money and social status, but she does not love him.
Mike and Brett
– Mike is Brett’s current love interest, but he is not as serious about her as she is about him.
– Mike is a charming and good-natured man, but he is also a bit of a cad.
– Brett is attracted to Mike’s charm and good looks, but she knows that he is not the right man for her.
Question 1:
Who are the main characters in the novel “The Sun Also Rises”?
Answer:
– Jake Barnes: The protagonist of the novel, a young American expatriate living in Paris who was injured in World War I.
– Brett Ashley: A beautiful and enigmatic Englishwoman with whom Jake is in love.
– Robert Cohn: A young American writer who is also in love with Brett.
– Mike Campbell: An American bullfighter who is Jake’s close friend.
Question 2:
What is the setting of “The Sun Also Rises”?
Answer:
– The novel is primarily set in Paris and the Spanish countryside during the 1920s.
– It depicts the lives of a group of young American expatriates living in Europe after World War I.
Question 3:
What are the major themes explored in “The Sun Also Rises”?
Answer:
– Lost Generation: The novel examines the disillusionment and aimlessness of the young generation who came of age during World War I.
– Love and relationships: The complex relationships between the main characters explore the challenges and uncertainties of love and intimacy.
– Masculinity and gender roles: The novel explores traditional notions of masculinity and the changing roles of women in society.
Well, folks, there you have it – a peek into the quirky and captivating cast that graces Ernest Hemingway’s “The Sun Also Rises.” I hope you enjoyed getting to know these characters as much as I did. They may be a bit complex, a bit messy, but they sure are memorable. As the sun sets on this article, I want to thank you for joining me on this literary journey. If you’ve enjoyed hanging out with the gang from Hemingway’s classic, be sure to drop by again soon. We’ve got plenty more literary adventures in store for you!