In 1926 a man named Ernest Hemingway wrote a book. It was called "The Sun Also Rises" (as it also travels) and it recounts a recreational journey undertaken by the protagonist, Jake Barnes, and his companions. Jake is very fond of traveling. He is also very fond of getting drunk and seeing people and animals hurt each other. It is hard to tell which he favors more, since he travels in order to get drunk and see violence, although it would not be necessary, since violence and alcohol can be encountered at selected locations all across the world. Traveling must therefore have a more vital function in Jake's life.
As multitudinous as Jake's motivations may have been, there seems to be one constant element that can be named as the driving force behind all of Jake's travels. This element is escape. Escape from a dismal and boring life in his home country and in Paris, escape from happiness in Spain and with (or without) Brett, or escape from his war experiences. Since it is such a fundamental part of his life, he, as the narrator, also portrays the other characters as fugitives from themselves and from others.
In order to verify this statement, I will examine Jake's possible reasons for expatriation in general. Then I will try to further examine the individual travel stops that Jake visits during his journey. I will show that each location has a different meaning to him, although the guiding theme remains. Then again I will attempt to shine a light on the driving powers behind the restlessness of the three central characters: Jake, Brett and Robert. Although the narrator does show some insight into their motivations, there are still deeper ones that he might not realize because they are also inherent in himself.
Table of Contents
1. Why Travel?
2.1 Jake the Expatriate
2.2 Jake's Travel Destinations
2.2.1 Paris
2.2.2 Burguete
2.2.3 Pamplona
2.2.4 San Sebastian
2.2.5 Madrid
2.3 Jake, Robert and Brett - Hunters or Hunted?
2.3.1 Robert Cohn and Jake Barnes - Two Approaches to Traveling
2.3.2 Lady Brett Ashley - The Trophy
3. The Moral of the Story
Objectives and Themes
This academic paper examines the underlying motivations for the expatriate lifestyle and constant travel of the central characters in Ernest Hemingway's "The Sun Also Rises." The central thesis posits that these movements are not motivated by a genuine desire for discovery, but rather serve as a subconscious attempt to escape personal trauma, internal emptiness, and the social disillusionment of the post-war generation.
- The psychological function of travel as an escape mechanism.
- An analysis of specific geographical locations as symbolic sites for the protagonists.
- A comparison of individual character motivations: Jake Barnes, Robert Cohn, and Lady Brett Ashley.
- The intersection of personal trauma and the expatriate experience in 1920s Europe.
- The recurring theme of failed attempts to find meaning or stability through mobility.
Excerpt from the Book
2.2.3 Pamplona
Jake usually goes to Pamplona every year. Like Burguete, it is a place of male bonding for him. Montoya obviously loves him for being an aficionado and he makes no secret of his idolization of the bullfighters. The ultimate bullfighter, in the form of Romero, is the actual hero in this book. His grace, courage and pureness of heart are qualities Jake venerates, but also ruins, by setting him up with Brett. She, or better the little jealousies and intrigues surrounding her, ruin the whole Pamplona experience for Jake.
Pamplona also symbolizes the Spanish mentality: Running with the Corrida or fighting a bull is something an American, or even a Frenchman, would never do, since it means risking one's life just for fun. It is wild, stupid and pointless and that must be what attracts Jake to it, since his own life is just like that. On a more basic level, the Corrida is probably also a very lurid sensation. Jake must be an early ancestor of modern party tourists that can now be encountered on sunny beaches all over the world.
This specific journey also lets Jake realize that he is actually the kind natured "steer" who is keeping the party of "bulls" peaceful. He does not succeed and is "gored" by the mad Robert Cohn. As little as he enjoys the company he is with, as much he enjoys the bullfights. They symbolize the triumph of grace and dignity over brute force and virility.
Summary of Chapters
1. Why Travel?: This chapter introduces the theoretical premise that travel in the novel functions as an escape from personal pain, war trauma, and existential boredom rather than recreational exploration.
2.1 Jake the Expatriate: This section defines the expatriate condition as an emotional vacuum and explores why Jake remains in Europe despite failing to find the personal resolution he seeks.
2.2 Jake's Travel Destinations: This comprehensive section analyzes the symbolic significance of key locations like Paris, Burguete, Pamplona, San Sebastian, and Madrid in the context of Jake's emotional journey.
2.2.1 Paris: Analyzes the practical and ideological reasons for the American expatriates' presence in Paris, emphasizing the economic advantages and the perceived cultural atmosphere.
2.2.2 Burguete: Explores this location as a retreat for male bonding and an escape from the social complications associated with Brett Ashley.
2.2.3 Pamplona: Examines the significance of the bullfights and the Spanish mentality, reflecting Jake's search for grace and his realization of his own social role.
2.2.4 San Sebastian: Focuses on the resort as a site for potential psychological rebirth and an attempt to wash away past failures.
2.2.5 Madrid: Highlights Madrid as the final destination where the characters' attempts to flee from moral and social constraints inevitably converge.
2.3 Jake, Robert and Brett - Hunters or Hunted?: This chapter contrasts the distinct approaches of the three main characters toward their restless movement and inability to find peace.
2.3.1 Robert Cohn and Jake Barnes - Two Approaches to Traveling: Compares Cohn's idealistic dreaminess with Jake's stoic resignation, illustrating their shared failures in escaping their respective personalities.
2.3.2 Lady Brett Ashley - The Trophy: Investigates Brett's motives for travel, linking her constant movement to her fear of commitment and lost sexual identity.
3. The Moral of the Story: Concludes that all protagonists are essentially fugitives from themselves, using travel to avoid facing their inability to form lasting relationships or cope with life’s realities.
Keywords
Hemingway, The Sun Also Rises, Jake Barnes, Expatriates, Travel, Escape, Trauma, Lost Generation, Paris, Pamplona, Symbolism, Male Bonding, Psychology, Impotence, Nomadism
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this academic paper?
The paper explores the motivations behind the constant traveling of the main characters in Hemingway’s "The Sun Also Rises," arguing that travel acts as a psychological defense mechanism against trauma and dissatisfaction.
Which central themes are examined?
The central themes include the concept of the "expatriate" experience, the symbolism of place, the role of trauma in the post-war generation, and the futile pursuit of personal fulfillment through movement.
What is the primary research objective?
The goal is to demonstrate that the characters are not traditional travelers seeking culture or knowledge, but rather "fugitives" running from their own inner voids and failed social conventions.
Which scientific method is utilized?
The author employs a literary analysis method, interpreting the characters' behaviors, dialogues, and interactions with their environments in the context of the novel's overarching narrative themes.
What does the main body address?
The main body conducts a detailed examination of specific travel destinations (Paris, Burguete, Pamplona, etc.) and compares the distinct psychological motivations of Jake, Robert, and Brett.
What are the characterizing keywords?
Key terms include "Expatriate," "Escape," "Trauma," "Lost Generation," and "Symbolism," which capture the existential nature of the characters' restlessness.
How does the author characterize Jake Barnes's time in Burguete?
The author characterizes Burguete as a rare, innocent retreat for "male bonding," where social pressures are lessened, allowing the characters to momentarily feel at ease.
What does the author conclude about the "end of the line" in Madrid?
The author interprets Madrid as the inescapable climax of the journey, signifying the collapse of the characters' attempts to flee from the moral and social realities that ultimately constrain them.
- Quote paper
- Emal Ghamsharick (Author), 2007, So, what will we be doing today? Traveling in Hemingway's "The Sun Also Rises", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/84186
