The Ultimate Guide to The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway

“You are all a lost generation.” This quote, attributed to Gertrude Stein, served as a literary epitaph for an entire group of American expatriates living in post-World War I Paris. Ernest Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises stands as an icon of this generation, documenting their disillusionment, spiritual anguish, and profound feelings of aimlessness. In this guide, we will explore the setting, characters, themes, and literary significance of this groundbreaking novel.

1. Historical Context & Setting

The Sun Also Rises is set in the years following World War I, primarily in Paris and Pamplona, Spain. This was a time marked by immense social change and the emergence of the “lost generation” – a group that struggled to come to terms with the realities of a post-war world. Hemingway’s own experiences as an expatriate in Paris during the 1920s serve as a basis for the novel. The wealth and extravagance in which its characters partake were staples of the author’s lifestyle, while the vivid descriptions of the San Fermin bull-running festival in Pamplona echo Hemingway’s genuine fascination with bullfighting.

2. Plot Summary

The protagonist, Jake Barnes, is an American journalist living in Paris. After a war injury left him impotent, he is plagued by a sense of personal inadequacy and emotional detachment. Jake is part of a social circle of American and British expatriates, among them the captivating yet emotionally unpredictable Lady Brett Ashley. The two share a mutual attraction, but their relationship is complicated by Jake’s injury and Brett’s ensuing relationships with other men.

The main action of The Sun Also Rises takes place during a trip to Pamplona, where Jake and his friends attend the annual San Fermin festival. The group indulges in alcohol-fueled bouts of hedonism, emotional turmoil, and jealousy as Brett takes turns becoming involved with various men, including the self-assured matador Pedro Romero.

Ultimately, the characters return to their respective homes, and Jake and Brett are left to confront the fleeting nature of their relationship and the underlying despair that cripples their generation.

3. Major Characters

Jake Barnes — An American expatriate journalist and the novel’s protagonist. His impotence as a result of a war wound is a central conflict in the story.
Lady Brett Ashley — A beautiful and independent Englishwoman who drives much of the plot’s emotional turmoil. She is unable to commit to a healthy relationship, in part due to the disintegration of her marriage and her lingering feelings for Jake.
Robert Cohn — A writer and friend of Jake’s, Cohn becomes infatuated with Brett, causing tension within the social circle. His sense of entitlement and naivete paint him as a foil for Jake’s sense of inadequacy.
Mike Campbell — A self-destructive Scottish war veteran engaged to Brett, Mike is prone to drunken fits of jealousy and violence. He serves as a symbol of the aftermath of WWI.
Bill Gorton — A hard-drinking American writer who accompanies Jake on the trip to Pamplona. He serves as a reliable friend and confidant for Jake.
Pedro Romero — A young, talented bullfighter who captures Brett’s attention in Pamplona. He represents the ideal of masculinity and passion that eludes the rest of the characters.

4. Themes & Symbols

Themes

The Lost Generation: The Sun Also Rises epitomizes the disillusionment, moral vacuity, and existential rootlessness of post-WWI life, especially for the expatriate community.
Masculinity & Impotence: Jake’s inadequacy, both physically and emotionally, stands at the center of the novel, heightening his thirst for meaning and love.
The Power of Nature: The novel’s vivid descriptions of bullfighting and the Spanish countryside contrast sharply with the urban decadence of Paris, offering fleeting glimpses of a primal, uncontaminated world.

Symbols

Bullfighting: The sport serves as a metaphor for the novel’s overarching struggle between man and nature, as well as symbolizing passion, tradition, and the destructive power of love.
Fishing: Jake and Bill’s fishing trip in Spain serves not only as a needed respite from the chaotic events in Pamplona, but also as a symbol of camaraderie, simplicity, and tranquility amid an otherwise turbulent novel.

5. Literary Significance & Legacy

The Sun Also Rises marked Ernest Hemingway’s foray into literary realism and helped establish his unique narrative style, characterized by its sparse prose and understatement. The novel has been credited with capturing the zeitgeist of the “lost generation,” influencing subsequent works such as F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby and cementing Hemingway’s place among the pantheon of great American writers.

The Sun Also Rises is an essential novel for anyone interested in understanding the emotional landscape of the post-WWI generation, the roots of modernist literature, or the brilliance of Hemingway’s signature style. Its themes of loss, disillusionment, and the search for meaning are as timely and resonant today as they were when Hemingway first put pen to paper.

Embark on a journey with the lost generation and indulge in the vibrant world of The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway. Get your copy on Amazon to read or listen to this masterpiece of modernist literature.