It is all too easy to dismiss Brett Ashley, the leading female character in Hemingway`s first novelThe Sun Also Rises,as a neurotic, promiscuous and 'hard-boiled' man-eater and to blame her for the failure of all man-woman relationships in the novel. (And indeed, Brett has been called many things, from 'a woman devoid of womanhood' over 'an exclusive destructive force' even to 'a compulsive bitch'). If so, it probably tells more about the critic than the person who is being criticized. A short-sighted, and rather reactionary statement as the one above does not do justice to the complex relationships between the New Woman Brett Ashley and Robert Cohn, Pedro Romero and Jake Barnes. This paper therefore aims to explain in a more elaborate manner why Brett Ashley´s relationships fail. It tries to show that not only can the reasons be found in Brett´s capacity as an independent, self-confident and often troubled New Woman but also in the shortcomings of the male characters or in conditions which are beyond the characters´ control.
What exactly constitutes aNew Womanat the beginning of the 20th century is the concern of the first section of this paper. It also shows in what regard Brett Ashley exemplifies this concept and serves as a general introduction to the character. The second section then focuses on the respective interpersonal relationships between Brett and the writer Robert Cohn, Brett and the bullfighter Pedro Romero and Brett and the (narrating) protagonist Jake Barnes. 'How did they get to know each other?', 'What was their relationship like?' and 'Why did it fail in the end?' are the leading questions in the framework of the argumentation.
Table of Contents
Introduction
I. The New Woman
I.1. The New Woman in a historical, social and cultural context.
II. Failed relationships of the New Woman
II.1. Brett Ashley and Robert Cohn
II.2. Brett Ashley and Pedro Romero
II.3. Brett Ashley and Jake Barnes
III. Conclusion
IV. Bibliography
Research Objectives and Key Themes
This paper examines the complex character of Brett Ashley in Ernest Hemingway’s "The Sun Also Rises," challenging the common, derogatory perception of her as merely a "neurotic" or "destructive" woman. The research aims to explore the multifaceted reasons behind the failure of her various interpersonal relationships, analyzing how these are shaped by her identity as an independent "New Woman," the shortcomings of her male counterparts, and external social or physical constraints beyond the characters' control.
- Historical and cultural construction of the "New Woman" archetype.
- Incompatibilities in worldview and expectations in romantic relationships.
- The impact of war-induced trauma and emasculation on male characters.
- The tension between personal independence and traditional societal roles.
- Defense of Brett Ashley against gender-biased literary criticism.
Excerpt from the Book
II.1. Brett Ashley and Robert Cohn
Robert Cohn is an expatriate American writer who has recently enjoyed literary success and who, rather unsuccesfully, seeks inspiration for his second novel in Paris. For most of his life, Cohn has been an outsider. Discriminated against for being Jewish, he took up boxing at college to fight his shyness and his inferiority complex, although he actually despised boxing. With his literary success came a certain arrogant attitude which increasingly alienates him from the other characters in the novel, especially Jake Barnes, Cohn´s 'best friend' (p.35).
Two qualities clearly separate him from the other male characters: firstly, he is an intellectual who gets most of his knowledge and attitudes from books and has acquired the bad manner of showing his alleged intellectual superiority. Jake and Mike sarcastically comment on this several times: 'In his last year in Princeton he read too much and took to wearing spectacles.' (p.3); 'He calls her Circe,' Mike said. 'He claims she turns men into swine. Damn good. I wish I were one of these literary chaps.' (p.127)
Secondly, Robert Cohn has remained unaffected by the war. He did not lose a beloved one like Brett Ashley did (see section II.2) and he is not a war veteran like Jake, Bill, Mike, Harris and Count Mippipopolous. He does not belong to the lost generation (Gertrude Stein) and therefore cannot relate to their feelings of alienation and demystification or to their loss of traditional values. He is the dreamer who clings to an outdated, prewar value system of honour and romance and hence serves as a foil character to Jake and Brett.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Provides a defense of the character Brett Ashley and outlines the paper's focus on her relationships as a New Woman.
I. The New Woman: Explores the historical definition of the New Woman and illustrates how Brett Ashley embodies this concept while grappling with societal expectations.
II. Failed relationships of the New Woman: Analyzes the specific interpersonal dynamics and inevitable conflicts between Brett and her romantic partners: Robert Cohn, Pedro Romero, and Jake Barnes.
III. Conclusion: Synthesizes the findings, arguing that the failure of Brett's relationships is a result of conflicting worldviews and external trauma rather than personal malice.
IV. Bibliography: Lists the primary literary work and the secondary critical sources utilized in this study.
Keywords
Ernest Hemingway, The Sun Also Rises, Brett Ashley, New Woman, Lost Generation, Gender Roles, Romantic Relationships, Robert Cohn, Pedro Romero, Jake Barnes, Masculinity, Femininity, Literary Criticism, World War I, Interpersonal Conflict.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental subject of this academic paper?
The paper focuses on analyzing the female protagonist Brett Ashley in Ernest Hemingway's novel "The Sun Also Rises," specifically addressing the criticism labeling her as an exclusively destructive force.
What are the central thematic areas explored in the analysis?
The study examines the archetype of the "New Woman," the impact of World War I on gender identity, the clash of different worldviews, and the psychological effects of war-related trauma on relationship dynamics.
What is the primary objective of the research?
The primary goal is to reevaluate the failures in Brett Ashley’s relationships by demonstrating that these outcomes are influenced by a combination of her independent nature, male insecurities, and uncontrollable external conditions.
Which scientific or analytical method is applied?
The author employs a character-centered literary analysis, using textual evidence from the novel and existing critical interpretations to support the argument.
What topics are covered in the main body of the text?
The main body focuses on the socio-historical context of the New Woman, followed by a detailed examination of Brett's specific relationships with Robert Cohn, Pedro Romero, and Jake Barnes.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include "New Woman," "Lost Generation," "Gender roles," and "Literary criticism."
Why does the relationship between Brett and Pedro Romero fail according to the author?
The author posits that the failure is due to a cultural gap; Brett, as a modern, independent woman, cannot fit into the traditional, patriarchal society that Romero represents without sacrificing her core identity.
How does the author characterize Jake Barnes's role in the novel?
Jake Barnes is portrayed as a member of the "lost generation" whose ability to commit is fundamentally hindered by his war-time emasculation, which makes intimacy with Brett a source of significant psychological pain.
- Citar trabajo
- Robert Mattes (Autor), 2006, Failed Relationships in Hemingway`s The Sun Also Rises: Defending the New Woman, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/56294
