The Sun Also Rises: Theme & Quote Analysis
Themes and Key Concepts
One of the most recognised themes in “The Sun Also Rises” is insecurity. At this point in the novel I have identified the narrator, Jake to be insecure and wishy-washy. The novel is based in post World War I which determined the definition of masculinity. The soldiers were brave and carried themselves in a strong way. Jake feels less than and can not go without being nagged by Brett. In a way, Brett is more masculine than Jake. She refers to herself as a chap, has a short haircut and a masculine name. She not only looks tough and strong but acts it to. She is sure of herself and does not need a man while other women feel like they do.
Quote 1
“Robert Cohn was once middleweight boxing champion of Princeton. Do not think I am very much impressed by that as a boxing title, but it meant a lot to Cohn.” (Page 1)
Analysis
This is the first line of the novel and has a lot meaning behind it. The quote represents right in the beginning that Jake is not amused with Robert Cohn. Jake is a shy person so for him to say this it is like he is lying to himself. It relates to this feeling of competition and insecurity that is shown in many ways throughout the book. Jake judges Cohn immediately and shows resentment toward Cohn and his success. Being a boxing champion is a part of Cohn’s identity and uses it to intimidate other men to make them feel insecure. Later in the chapter we learn that Cohn really doesn't enjoy boxing but feels the need to hold a position so that he can look powerful when compared to others. With the two men, it comes down to who can fake it better with their success.
Quote 2
“Brett’s face was white and the long line of her neck showed in the bright light of the flares. The street was dark again and I kissed her. Our lips were tight together and then she turned away and pressed against the corner of the seat, as far as she could. Her head was down.” (Page 33)
Analysis
In this scene, Lady Brett and Jake are in a taxi on the way to a bar. Jake is obsessed with Lady Brett and can’t keep his hands off of her. He feels great around her and wants to make her happy. However, Brett’s masculine look and attitude it is hard to show affection because she rarely returns the favor. This leads to Jake feeling very insecure in this moment. In their relationship, she takes the charge. Typically, women are shy and lovestruck in a romantic situation like this but Brett tells him no. She even tells Jake that she doesn’t want him to be near her. She doesn’t give a reason but is dominant and makes her decision and expects him to respect it. Throughout the novel, Jake becomes insecure around Brett and her presence.
Another key concept in the novel is fake friendships. In the beginning of the book I could tell right off the bat that Cohn was only using Jake. Cohn does enjoy Jake’s company but uses him by inviting him to go on these extravagant trips. In every scene where the two men are together Jake always tries to get out of the situation by saying he has somewhere to be. Jake is very nice to Cohn‘s face but admits that he hates him. This deceptive relationship and failure of communication in this friendship causes a very interesting dynamic in the book and plays a major role in Jake’s identity.
Quote 3
“Listen, Jake,” he leaned forward on the bar. “Don’t you ever get the feeling that all your life is going by and you’re not taking advantage of it? Do you realize you’ve lived nearly half the time you have to live already?”
“Yes, every once in a while.”...
“Well I want to go to South America.”
“Listen, Robert, going to a different country doesn’t make any difference. I’ve tried all that. You can’t get away from yourself by moving from one place to another. There’s nothing to that.” (Page 19)
Analysis
In this quote, Jake is being brutally honest with Cohn. He usually goes with the flow and agrees to whatever Cohn says. Now he is responding to Cohn with an impatient attitude. Being nagged by Cohn reinforces the constant pushing that he experiences on a daily basis. In this scene Cohn is going on one of his rants about how life is short and he wants to be free. Cohn is trying to convince Jake that this is a good idea and that going to Paris will allow them to both get away and go on an adventure. Jake’s response to Cohn’s crazy ideas is kind but in reality is fed up with his squirminess. This ultimately shows that Hemingway is trying to portray a fake friendship.
Quote 4
“I could feel Cohn wanted to bring up Brett again, but I held him off it. We talked about one thing and another and I left him to come to the office.” (Page 47)
Analysis
This quote shows another instance of Jake being a fake friend to Cohn. It is made clear that both men share an interest in Brett but Jake is trying to distract Cohn. Although Robert seems like a more interesting guy and certainly is confident around women, Jake does not like that he is so persistent and makes him feel insecure about liking Lady Brett. Jake almost tries to trick Cohn into thinking that she is not very special by saying she is just a drunk. Robert knows that Jake is interested in her and says he wants to marry her just to mess with Jake. The two men are willing to lie to each others face which is the perfect example of a characteristic of a fake friend.
- Insecurity
- Sex without love
- Miscommunication
- Drinking
- Fake friends
- Lost generation
One of the most recognised themes in “The Sun Also Rises” is insecurity. At this point in the novel I have identified the narrator, Jake to be insecure and wishy-washy. The novel is based in post World War I which determined the definition of masculinity. The soldiers were brave and carried themselves in a strong way. Jake feels less than and can not go without being nagged by Brett. In a way, Brett is more masculine than Jake. She refers to herself as a chap, has a short haircut and a masculine name. She not only looks tough and strong but acts it to. She is sure of herself and does not need a man while other women feel like they do.
Quote 1
“Robert Cohn was once middleweight boxing champion of Princeton. Do not think I am very much impressed by that as a boxing title, but it meant a lot to Cohn.” (Page 1)
Analysis
This is the first line of the novel and has a lot meaning behind it. The quote represents right in the beginning that Jake is not amused with Robert Cohn. Jake is a shy person so for him to say this it is like he is lying to himself. It relates to this feeling of competition and insecurity that is shown in many ways throughout the book. Jake judges Cohn immediately and shows resentment toward Cohn and his success. Being a boxing champion is a part of Cohn’s identity and uses it to intimidate other men to make them feel insecure. Later in the chapter we learn that Cohn really doesn't enjoy boxing but feels the need to hold a position so that he can look powerful when compared to others. With the two men, it comes down to who can fake it better with their success.
Quote 2
“Brett’s face was white and the long line of her neck showed in the bright light of the flares. The street was dark again and I kissed her. Our lips were tight together and then she turned away and pressed against the corner of the seat, as far as she could. Her head was down.” (Page 33)
Analysis
In this scene, Lady Brett and Jake are in a taxi on the way to a bar. Jake is obsessed with Lady Brett and can’t keep his hands off of her. He feels great around her and wants to make her happy. However, Brett’s masculine look and attitude it is hard to show affection because she rarely returns the favor. This leads to Jake feeling very insecure in this moment. In their relationship, she takes the charge. Typically, women are shy and lovestruck in a romantic situation like this but Brett tells him no. She even tells Jake that she doesn’t want him to be near her. She doesn’t give a reason but is dominant and makes her decision and expects him to respect it. Throughout the novel, Jake becomes insecure around Brett and her presence.
Another key concept in the novel is fake friendships. In the beginning of the book I could tell right off the bat that Cohn was only using Jake. Cohn does enjoy Jake’s company but uses him by inviting him to go on these extravagant trips. In every scene where the two men are together Jake always tries to get out of the situation by saying he has somewhere to be. Jake is very nice to Cohn‘s face but admits that he hates him. This deceptive relationship and failure of communication in this friendship causes a very interesting dynamic in the book and plays a major role in Jake’s identity.
Quote 3
“Listen, Jake,” he leaned forward on the bar. “Don’t you ever get the feeling that all your life is going by and you’re not taking advantage of it? Do you realize you’ve lived nearly half the time you have to live already?”
“Yes, every once in a while.”...
“Well I want to go to South America.”
“Listen, Robert, going to a different country doesn’t make any difference. I’ve tried all that. You can’t get away from yourself by moving from one place to another. There’s nothing to that.” (Page 19)
Analysis
In this quote, Jake is being brutally honest with Cohn. He usually goes with the flow and agrees to whatever Cohn says. Now he is responding to Cohn with an impatient attitude. Being nagged by Cohn reinforces the constant pushing that he experiences on a daily basis. In this scene Cohn is going on one of his rants about how life is short and he wants to be free. Cohn is trying to convince Jake that this is a good idea and that going to Paris will allow them to both get away and go on an adventure. Jake’s response to Cohn’s crazy ideas is kind but in reality is fed up with his squirminess. This ultimately shows that Hemingway is trying to portray a fake friendship.
Quote 4
“I could feel Cohn wanted to bring up Brett again, but I held him off it. We talked about one thing and another and I left him to come to the office.” (Page 47)
Analysis
This quote shows another instance of Jake being a fake friend to Cohn. It is made clear that both men share an interest in Brett but Jake is trying to distract Cohn. Although Robert seems like a more interesting guy and certainly is confident around women, Jake does not like that he is so persistent and makes him feel insecure about liking Lady Brett. Jake almost tries to trick Cohn into thinking that she is not very special by saying she is just a drunk. Robert knows that Jake is interested in her and says he wants to marry her just to mess with Jake. The two men are willing to lie to each others face which is the perfect example of a characteristic of a fake friend.