It Ain't All Unicorns and Gumdrops

" 'Isn't it pretty to think so?' (pg 251)"

This quote is Jake's response to Brett saying what a good time they could have had together. His reaction really satisfies me personally because I feel he finally comes to grips with their situation. It just never worked out. It was a nice thing to think about, but Brett is much too fickle with her love to make something permanently work. I think, by the end, Jake realizes this and gives up the charade. It's kind of like the Disney princess movies. Everyone wants a fairytale like that, but it's just not realistic. Romance, whether it be literary romance or movie genre romance, can't be perfect in real life and that is likely why Brett searched for it so much. She couldn't find it perfectly and wouldn't give up trying until she felt her life was straight out of a fairytale. That is why she seemed to have a new love interest on every page and that is truly the reason both the characters end up alone.

Logistics Schmolistics

"As a roller came I dove, swam out under water, and came to the surface with all the chill gone (pg 238)."

In real life, one would not be able to take months off work. That is what is perplexing about this novel. All five of these people that go on this trip are gone for a number of weeks. Not only that, but they literally spend all their money on hotels and alcohol. At least two of the travellers (Mike and Brett) had no money to start out with. I've been raised to work hard and let the hard work pay for the fun. I think that is how most people see it, but, for this group, the fun always came first. Jake took an extra week just to read and swim in San Sebastian. Logistically, the finances don't really make much sense, but I guess that is what is so great about fiction. Logistics really don't matter.

Don't Look a Gift Bull in the Ear

"He leaned up against the barrera and gave the ear to Brett (pg 224)."

All I can think when I'm reading this is how gross this is. It really reminds me of when a cat is out playing in the yard and it kills a bird and brings it to its owner as a gift. The idea is obscene and yet it's flattering that the cat would bring you a gift. You dispose of it as soon as possible, but the cat feels fulfilled in its purpose and you think "Oh, how....sweet." Granted, Brett actually seemed excited to receive her ears, but, honestly she's a woman. How excited could she have been? Today in America, I don't believe bullfighting could really ever take off for many reasons. The "sport" itself is greusome and promotes killing animals for an audience's enjoyment. Michael Vick knows how unpopular that is with the government, not to mention the NFL. All in all, I'm glad it hasn't taken off anywhere near my residence. The idea of an ear for a gift is sketchy business.

What's Love Got To Do-Got To Do With It?

" 'Brett's got a bull-fighter,' Mike said. 'But her Jew has gone away.'(pg 215)"

In this entire novel, it seems as if everyone loves everyone. No one stays on one significant other for very long. This is likely partly due to the amount of alcohol consumed throughout the book's entirety, but it strikes me as odd. Brett has been married, is getting a divorce only to get married to Mike right after, but she relly loves Jake, but then she falls in love with Romero. Who knows who else she's fallen in love with besides them. Also, Robert is married at the befinning, then moves on to Frances until he gets tired of her and falls for Brett, but then it is assumed that he went back to Frances. In the end, it leads me to question the definition of "love" in this book. Do any of the characters know what it rally means? I don't think so. I believe they know all about infatuation, which we see when Brett cannot take her eyes off of Romero and Robert can't be away from Brett. Really, it is somewhat like today in the sense that the word love is flung around like a dirty mop.

Me Scared? Never.

This incident actually took place at the San Fermin bull run ^^^.

" 'A cornada right through the back. For fun-you understand' (pg 201)."

This set of pages, along with most of the book, is about bullfighting. I understand "the running of the bulls" just about as much as this man does. Why hundreds of people would gather to risk their lives by running down a tiny street being chased by bulls willingly is far beyond my comprehension. It is supposed to be fun, but considering that people get hurt and even killed all the time for doing it would erase a lot of the fun factor for me I think. I suppose it's kind of like swimming with sharks. People do it willingly just to be able to say they did it. It's a shame that some don't get to say they did it even after they did because the bull kills them. The man in this story had a family to support and a farm to run, but he risked it to be chased by a bull...of his own free will. It seems kind of selfish to me, but I've always been a pretty rational person.

Silly American

" 'Tell him that bulls have no balls,' Mike shouted. He was drunk (pg 179)."

This line is truly amusing to me. If one compares the humor of an average teenage boy to this line, the resemblance is shocking. It makes it that much more amusing when one considers that this is a grown, drunk man. More amusing still is who he is speaking to. He is saying this to a bullfighter who is in or near teenage range and who would have likely not found it funny if he could have understood it. Later, Romero says it is not right for a bullfighter to know English. The more I read on about Mike's drunken antics, the clearer this reasoning becomes. No one wants to be associated with anyone who acts like this, even if it is only in language. If I were Spanish and I heard a crazy American speaking like this, I would be ashamed to know English as well.

Antagonist

" 'I thought he was going to be sick. You weren't bored, were you, Robert?' (pg 169)"

Mike could be sen as an antagonist here. Several times, he teases Robert rather cruelly about an assortment of things. Earlier in the novel, he gets on Robert for having a thing for Brett even though, at this point, it is safe to say that they all seem to share that in common. Here, he is gives Robert a hard time for a statement he had made earlier on in the novel. Robert had said he was afraid he would be bored during the bullfights and everyone there had held it against him. Realistically, no one really likes Robert, but it is just one of those things no one is supposed to say. It is like the well-hidden elephant in the room. Mike basically says everything the rest of the group is thinking but too polite to say. Hemingway adds Mike to the story to add drama. Mike's teasing brings out a bad side of Robert that is somewhat like his old self. He really doesn't say anything or stand up for himself, much like he never stood up for himself with Frances.

Ambiguity

" 'I must get a bath.' (pg 163)"

For some reason, Brett repeats this line on a regular basis. Sometimes, it is in different words, but the message remains the same. This is ambiguous because you could take it as Brett being consientious of her hygiene. I personally take it as she feels dirty. This leads back to my other theory of Brett beng a prostitute. That "profession" would make anyone feel dirty and the sketchily-worded phrases she uses make me feel more and more certain that she is a "woman of the night". It is made quite clear that this life decision has no effect on the friendships she has with the men in the book, but one must consider that they are also men. They may even be past clients that she particularly got along with. Either way, she plays an important part in the novel in the sense that it seems to be her relationship with the two main men in the book that is driving a wedge between them. They both blindly love her despite all the men she claims to be in love with.

Aphorism

"That was morality; things that made you disgusted afterward. No, that must be immorality (pg 152)."

With the novel progressing, a lot of these seem to be popping up. I almost feel like this is a novel of self-discovery for Jake and Robert. Robert is learning to be his own man and not get used the way he tended to at the start of the novel. Jake is learning all sorts of little things like the aforementioned truth. I have found that the majority of books we read in class are coming-of-age types of books, so it makes sense that these truths would be presenting themselves well throughout the novel. Hemingway adds aphorisms because that is the purpose this book serves. It is meant to teach little life lessons all while entertaining the reader with lavish stories of bullfights and fruitful fishing. Although, I will say I find it a bit odd that these men are just experiencing these truths because they do seem to be of an advanced age in the book.

First Person Point of View

"I started off walking with Brett, but Robert Cohn came up and joined her on the other side (pg 141)."

The choice Hemingway made to put Jake in the narrative position befuddles me. I'm not totally sure why Robert Cohn is not the narrator. It seems like the natural transition what with basically the entire exposition focused on him and his college days and relationships. The only reason I can think to have Jake as the narrator is to contrast his character with that of Robert cohn. The progression of their relationship could be better told through Jake's point of view. I do agree with Hemingway's decision to write the novel with a first person narrative. The inner workings of Jake's mind make the story more interesting, which I greatly appreciate.

When I Was a Kid.....

"It was a beech wood and the trees were very old. Their roots bulked above the ground and the branches were twisted (pg 122)."

The detail in this novel is almost suffocating. I think the great detail in this book stems from the fact that it was written in the 20s. Older books contain a lot of detail and I have my own theory as to why this is. I believe that newer books are more action and dialogue based because the modern youth does not want to read. With video games, computer programs, and television, people, especially youth, would rather see the movie version of a book than actually read the book. Technology has inspired a lazy, spoiled generation that has no interest in books. In the time this book was written, there wasn't really as much to do. Children played more and likely read more for lack of better things to do. I will admit I am the perect example of the modern teenager. All of the detail in this book bores me somewhat because it isn't exciting. It's great literature, but it doesn't make me jump or want to read on due to a delicious cliffhanger.

Allusion

" 'My son go west with this face and grow up with the country.' (pg 108)"

This quote is an allusion to a controversial phrase used alongside Manifest Destiny. The origin of this phrase has not been agreed upon by historians, but its connection to Manifest Destiny is undeniable. Some say it derived from an editiorial in the New York Tribune in which Horace Greeley wrote, "Washington is not a place to live in. The rents are high, the food is bad, the dust is disgusting and the morals are deplorable. Go West, young man, go West and grow up with the country." Still, others say it came from a book called Hints Toward Reform by the same man. Either way, I don't really see what difference it makes considering he probably wrote similar statements in both seeing as they came from the same man. Anyway, this allusion was recorded to add a humorous effect to the piece. A man comparing his face to the working of Manifest Destiny is a humorous idea.

A Little More Human

"...I was kneeling with my forehead on the wood in front of me, and was thinking of myself as praying, I was a little ashamed, and regretted that I was such a rotten Catholic,...(pg 103)"

As a Catholic myself, this quote really resonates with me. I think we've all been there, in church, thinking of everything except God. This shows me a very human side of Jake. He is thinking about himself praying instead of actually praying. The irony of it is also pretty amusing. Sometimes, when we feel so many things are happening in our own lives, it is hard to focus on the things that really matter. The addition of this detail about Jake makes him seem more real and helps the reader truly imagine themselves in his position and empathize with the situation.

Imagery

"It got dark and we could feel the country hot and sandy and dark outside of the window...(pg 94)."

In this quote, not only is sight mentioned, but touch, as well. Hemingway wants to make sure we are experiencing what it feels like to travel through Europe. The senses identified vary in this piece almost as much as the setting. Imagery is a common ground in all literary works, but one experiences them differently and in varying amounts in all works, even ones written by the same author. Imagery is used to fulfill many different ends and, therefore, cannot be limited to one explanation as to why it appears in literature. Here, the imagery is used to make the trip feel more realistic. To simply say the group is travelling by train is a distant idea to most modern readers. Trains are rarely used due to the existence of cars, buses, ships, and other much more efficient means of travel. The landscape and experiencesof Europe are also foreign to the average American; therefore, explanation is essential.

A Brotherhood Misunderstood

In these twelve pages (pages 71-82), Jake runs into an old friend, Bill. They have a conversation in which the word "nigger" is used quite often.

" 'Loaned the nigger some clothes and went around with him to try to get his money.' (pg 77)"

The author uses this term because it was acceptable at the time, but it truly shows a stark contrast to modern times. I, along with many others, consider the word outdated and vulgur. Still, in many communities, especially the rap community, it is acceptable to take away the "er" and replace it with an "a". It is supposedly a term of endearment or brotherhood. I find this to be rediculous considering the origin of the term is demeaning. It represented the ownership the white slaveowners had over their "livestock", or the black slaves they bought and sold freely. So, yes, I do have a problem, personally, with the term. It does not represent brotherhood, rather it stands for oppression.

Hyperbole

" 'You haven't any values. You're dead, that's all.'(pg 67)"

In this scene, Brett is arguing with the count regarding love and its effect on the emotions. Brett saying he has no values and is therefore dead is obviously an exaggeration. The author uses this to frame Brett as what I call an "all-in" character. It's like when one plays poker and, for many people, they only give as much as they want others to see. They hold other chips, or emotions, back. Brett, on the other hand, puts her chips all in. She says what she thinks and she thinks what she says. Sometimes in the latter's order. It's kind of like there is no gray area. She sees things strictly in black and white.

Rhetorical Question

" 'You'll stay here, won't you Robert?'(pg 53)."

In this scene, Frances is upset because she believes Robert is no longer interested in her. This turns out to be true. The rhetorical question serves a specific purpose in this situation. In the exposition, the author alludes to the type of control Frances has over Robert. It is clearly seen here, for she is basically telling him to stay and not follow Jake and herself to the cafe when they go to talk privately. Throughout the novel, she uses a very passive-aggressive tactic while speaking to Robert. It is abundantly clear that she "wears the pants" in that relationship and she seems all too proud to be in that position. So, the author uses the rhetorical question to demonstrate the way in which she belit les Robert and treats him almost more like a pet than a partner. I also see this particular part as the author's way of showing that Robert is truely growing by basically shipping Frances off and deciding he wants to live his own life, free of his owner.

Diction

As I am beginning to read this novel, one thing I consistently come back to is diction. Honestly, I understand very little of it. To say that I am frustrated would be an immense understatement, but that is not for lack of trying.

" 'Letter to-day.' (pg 37)"

Clearly the character, Brett, is saying that she received a letter from the person being mentioned at the time (Mike). I just found this to be a great example of the diction in the book being one that is certainly not alive and well today. Not only are letters almost completely obsolete with the creation of e-mail, texting, and other digital masterpieces, but "to-day" actually threw me off for a few seconds. Looking at it now it is clear that it meant that day, but, when I get in my reading groove, the slightest disturbance throws me off. Suffice it to say that I have not effectively gotten into a groove at all during my reading of this novel. It seems like every word is from a dead language that I am simply not accustomed to seeing. Of course I expected a little difficulty what with the author of the work being Hemingway, but I seriously gave myself too much credit. Still, it is somewhat of a breath of fresh air to actually have to think about something of value. It is summer after all. I suppose to Hemingway, this diction really isn't all that farfetched.

Innuendo? Or Innuendon't?

In this group of pages (pg 22-34), I'm just a wee bit perplexed.

" 'What's the matter? You sick?'
'Yes.'
'Everybody's sick. I'm sick, too.' (pg 23)."

I'm not totally sure if this is accurate, but it appears that they are talking about some sort of STD. Maybe that is my "modern mind" at work, but they aren't kissing because of some sickness. That seems a little sketchy to me, so I'm going to pretend it is for sure some sort of STD.

Aside from the obvious effect this has on the novel (shows a sign of the times that they may not even know what this sickness is for lack of technology), it got me thinking about sexuality throughout time. I'm going to keep this appropriate and hope no one is too umcomfortable in the reading of this piece. STDs have been an issue for a lot longer than some could even fathom, but, if you listened to almost anyone speaking on the current generation, they act as if something ignited and it is only now becoming an issue. This is simply not true. In fact, fashion semi-revolved around STDs in the 1920s-30s. Women wore long dresses with long sleeves and extended necks to cover chancres brought about by the disease. I'm not going to carry on about STDs throughout history for obvious reasons, but it just goes to show how truly small our grasp is of America. Issues that arise now have been and will always be issues. They did not magically appear due to a "bad batch" of kids.

The Exposition of an End

And so begins the next book of the AP English saga: The Sun Also Rises

" I never met any one of his class who remembered him. They did not even remember that he was middleweight boxing champion." (pg 11)

It is quite obvious to anyone with a brain that the author uses the exposition to introduce the reader to a number of things: the plot, characters, and whatever else he or she deems necessary. I would like to discuss my theory as to why the author describes the main character in the way he does.

For example, in the quote above, Robert Cohn is portrayed as a sort of nobody. To say that no one remembers you when you went to school with them for four years is really quite insulting. Still, I believe the point of describing his situation in this way is to set the reader up for the kind of character he will become. For being the main character, Cohn really is rarely mentioned in the early stages of the novel, which actually puts most of its focus on the narrator, Jake. So, by describing the character as a nobody, I am led to believe that that is who he will be throughout the rest of the novel. He will likely be rarely mentioned and unremarkable in character.