The Sun Also Rises
Cynicism
Femininity
Masculinity
Insecurity
Prejudice
Sexuality
The Lost Generation- a term to refer to the post WW1 generation, as they were deemed as "lost" since their values no longer align with the post-war world. They were better educated and involved with media in comparison to before. They are considered as "lost" as they are considered to act recklessly and aimlessly, indulging in sex and alcohol. "You’ve lost touch with the soil. You get precious. Fake European standards have ruined you. You drink yourself to death. You become obsessed by sex. You spend all your time talking, not working. You are an expatriate, see? You hang around cafés." Loc1702
Jake is shown to be cynical about his relationship with Brett, despite being infatuated with her for the majority of the novel, but when she discusses the life they could have led, he acts unbothered: “Oh, Jake,” Brett said, “we could have had such a damned good time together.” Ahead was a mounted policeman in khaki directing traffic. He raised his baton. The car slowed suddenly-pressing Brett against me. “Yes,” I said. “Isn’t it pretty to think so?” Loc3655
He mocks this hypothetical perspective Brett mentions, by talking about it like it's some kind of dream state that will never be achieved.
The majority of the novel follows the characters in a drunken state, and careless. "I was a little drunk. Not drunk in any positive sense but just enough to be careless." Loc362. The fact that he finds no enjoyment out of the drunken sensation suggests how normalised the feeling has become for him, and the increase in alcoholism.
Robert Cohn
Cohn's Jewish identity is stated from the start of the novel, Cohn. "He cared nothing for boxing, in fact he disliked it, but he learned it painfully and thoroughly to counteract the feeling of inferiority and shyness he had felt on being treated as a Jew at Princeton." Loc121. Therefore, stating his main role in the novel as a Jewish man, reducing him to purely that identity of his.
He seems to be the receiver of the majority of hateful remarks and taunting that occurs in the novel. "Shut up,” Cohn said. He stood up. “Shut up, Mike.” “Oh, don’t stand up and act as though you were going to hit me. That won’t make any difference to me. Tell me, Robert. Why do you follow Brett around like a poor bloody steer?" Loc2109. Although it is not explicitly mentioned, it is very obvious that this hatred is rooted in anti-Semitism, as it is not reflected on anyone else.
There is one instance of a Black man being mentioned having fought in boxing, however, he is solely referred to by a racial slur, casually, instead of his name or even being called a man. His strength is marvelled at "Then local white boy hit him. Then he knocked white boy cold." Loc1060. They view him in a similar vain as an attraction, not as a human.
Brett's image is synonymous with her sensuality as the absence of any romantic relationship with Jake seems to be a result of his inability to have sex contrasting with her heightened sexual desire. “Don’t touch me,” she said. “Please don’t touch me.” “What’s the matter?” “I can’t stand it.” Loc424
Even when she is not present in the conversation, Brett's enjoyment of sex is brought up, especially when Cohn's interest is discussed. "What if Brett did sleep with you? She’s slept with lots of better people than you.” Loc2108. The fact Mike says "lots" affirms that she is viewed in a provocative light, and it's not viewed as impressive to have slept with her, as she has slept with a lot of men, as implied.
Since the novel is written in 1926, a lot of traditional feminine roles were still upheld by society, including women being maternal figures and sexually pure, however, Brett subverts both. “I’m thirty-four, you know. I’m not going to be one of these bitches that ruins children.” Loc3588. She is aware of the consequences of motherhood, and does not wish to conform purely to fit in with the rest of society, so she chooses to abandon the maternal expectation.
Jake's insecurity towards his own impotence is reflected in his envy and disgust towards Brett's sexuality, as he continues to blame her sexual presence for his problems "To hell with women, anyway. To hell with you, Brett Ashley." Loc2194. The fact he centres his hatred towards women, specifically Brett, emphasises his insecurity towards the expectation of his own masculinity.
Jake's impotence plays an important role in the novel, as, firstly, it insults his masculinity and almost mocks him "I looked at myself in the mirror...Of all the ways to be wounded. I suppose it was funny." Loc501.His assumption that his injury is humorous is reflected throughout the entire novel, with even the title "The Sun Also Rises" can be viewed as another reminder of how everything rises, except from one thing. It highlights how something so stereotypically masculine, such as warfare, results in a emasculating injury; impacting his future.
.
Mike is insecure when it comes to Brett's flirting with Pedro, despite acting like he's okay with it, so he attempts to humiliate her “Tell him Brett wants to see him put on those green pants.” “Pipe down, Mike.” “Tell him Brett is dying to know how he can get into those pants.” Loc2606. The sexualised language, despite being engaged to her, further emphasises how the men in the novel view female sexuality as a threat to their masculinity, and since he doesn't want to be humiliated, he attempts to humiliate her.
Commitment
Although there are mentions of marriage, which is intended to be full commitment to one person for the rest of your life, the characters tend to avoid it, for instance Cohn sending Frances away despite being with her for years. "“Yes, that’s the way it’s done in the very best families. Robert’s sending me. He’s going to give me two hundred pounds and then I’m going to visit friends. Won’t it be lovely? The friends don’t know about it, yet.” Loc768. The sarcasm used here highlights the characters avoidance of commitment, reflecting the generation's lack of future perception.
Brett is a highly sexualised figure, but with the absence of a man to commit to, as the male characters view her as just a woman to sexually worship. "Brett wanted to dance but they did not want her to. They wanted her as an image to dance around." Loc2288. This represents how she's not viewed as involved, but just someone who these men want to have the chance of having sex with her, but none will commit.