The Characters of The Sun Also Rises: A Deep Dive

Ernest Hemingway’s classic The Sun Also Rises features an ensemble of unforgettable characters bound together by their post-World War I disillusionment and their pursuit of pleasure. Hemingway brings their stories to life through striking prose and his signature “iceberg technique,” revealing their complex relationships and desires. In this deep dive, we’ll explore the central characters of The Sun Also Rises and uncover the intricacies of their relationships as they navigate the Lost Generation.

Jake Barnes: The Reluctant Hero

Jake Barnes serves as both the protagonist and the narrator of the story. An American expatriate living in Paris, Jake works as a journalist and makes a living covering news stories. But beneath the surface, Jake is a deeply flawed and wounded individual — both metaphorically and literally.

During World War I, Jake sustained a severe injury that rendered him impotent. This physical limitation is a significant part of his character and affects nearly every aspect of his life, including his relationships with others and his sense of self. Jake’s introspective narration reveals his bitter feelings and persistent longing for what he cannot have, particularly in his unrequited love for Lady Brett Ashley.

Lady Brett Ashley: The Enigmatic Muse

Lady Brett Ashley is a beautiful and mysterious British aristocrat who becomes the object of desire for nearly every man in the novel. However, Brett’s life is anything but glamorous. She’s been married twice, with her first husband dying traumatically during the war, and her second marriage ending in divorce. These experiences shaped Brett into a fiercely independent woman who refuses to let anyone control her life.

Despite her determination to live life on her terms, Brett can’t help but seek out romantic relationships. Her intense relationship with Jake — one fraught with longing, guilt, and unsatisfied desire — is the core of the narrative. However, her other romantic interests, including Mike Campbell and Robert Cohn, further complicate the story and create a volatile atmosphere for the novel’s events.

Robert Cohn: The Outsider

Robert Cohn is a writer and a former amateur boxing champion from Princeton University. However, Cohn’s background and heritage set him apart. As a Jewish man, Cohn often experiences discrimination and prejudice from others in the novel. This feeling of being an outsider fuels his search for validation and belonging.

Cohn’s friendship with Jake becomes strained when he falls in love with Brett. Unable to acknowledge the impossibility of their relationship, Cohn becomes increasingly aggressive and desperate. This desperation leads to violence, further cementing Cohn’s position as an outsider in the group.

Mike Campbell: The Doomed Lover

Mike Campbell — a Scottish war veteran and bankrupted alcoholic — is engaged to Brett. However, their relationship is turbulent and marked by constant insecurity, as both struggle with jealousy and their pride. Mike is aware of Brett’s infidelity but seems unable to break the cycle of self-destructive behavior that pervades their lives.

His tendency to lash out at others, particularly at Robert Cohn, demonstrates his inability to control his anger and the pain caused by his love for Brett. Ultimately, Mike’s life spirals further into ruin as he loses everything that matters to him.

Bill Gorton: The Loyal Friend

Bill Gorton is Jake’s loyal and reliable friend. Also, an American writer living as an expatriate, Bill offers comic relief in the novel through his witty remarks and sarcastic humor. He’s well aware of the sorrows and emotional baggage of his friends but chooses not to engage in them.

Despite a relatively minor role in the plot, Bill provides Jake with much-needed stability and companionship. Their friendship contrasts significantly with the turbulent relationships that dominate the rest of the novel.

Conclusion

The characters of The Sun Also Rises come to life through their passions, heartbreaks, and struggles to find meaning in a post-war world. Hemingway’s intense exploration of their desires and disillusionment immerses readers in a journey filled with love, friendship, and betrayal.

Interested in reading or listening to The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway? Dive into the book by purchasing it on Amazon here.

For an interesting comparison of the Lost Generation, consider reading F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby (View on Amazon&i=stripbooks&tag=tometailor-20).