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.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (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
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to explain why Brett Ashley's relationships in Ernest Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises fail. The analysis explores how Brett's character as a New Woman, the shortcomings of the male characters, and external factors contribute to the breakdown of these relationships.
- The New Woman in the early 20th century
- Brett Ashley's characteristics as a New Woman
- The failures of Brett Ashley's relationships
- The roles of the male characters in the breakdown of relationships
- The influence of social and historical context on the relationships
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: The introduction sets the stage by challenging the common perception of Brett Ashley as a "hard-boiled" man-eater. It argues that a more nuanced understanding of her relationships is necessary, considering her status as a New Woman and the complexities of her interactions with the male characters.
- I. The New Woman: This section defines the concept of the New Woman in the historical, social, and cultural context of the early 20th century. It explores the changing gender roles and societal expectations that shaped this movement, highlighting the challenges and opportunities faced by women seeking independence and self-realization.
- I.1. The New Woman in a historical, social and cultural context: This subsection delves deeper into the origins and development of the New Woman movement, tracing its evolution from the Victorian era to the post-World War I period. It examines the factors that contributed to the redefinition of gender norms, including the influence of feminism, changing economic conditions, and the impact of the war.
- II. Failed relationships of the New Woman: This section examines the specific relationships of Brett Ashley, focusing on their dynamics and eventual breakdown. It analyzes the interplay between Brett's character, the male characters' personalities, and the surrounding social and cultural context.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This work explores the concept of the New Woman, specifically focusing on the character of Brett Ashley in Ernest Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises. It examines the complexities of failed relationships, analyzing the interplay between individual character traits, societal pressures, and historical context. The key themes include gender roles, social expectations, the changing status of women, and the impact of war on individual lives and relationships.
- Citation du texte
- Robert Mattes (Auteur), 2006, Failed Relationships in Hemingway`s The Sun Also Rises: Defending the New Woman, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/56294
