As Jake Barnes reminisces about his time in Spain, he gives the reader a view of how his mind works. Hemingway incorporates a stream of consciousness in his character Jake that shows how chaotic Jake's inner thoughts are. I think that this stream of consciousness helps readers realize, if they already had not before, how confusing and disordered Jake's life really is. I've been confused about Jake and the plot of the story since the beginning of the book, but now I somewhat understand. Being a veteran of war, Jake went through an experience that no one who hasn't experienced war can understand. Like Tim O'Brien in his book The Things They Carried, Jake had to go through the transition of war to peace. However, I think that Jake and Tim O'Brien dealt with the change very differently. While O'Brien went through the transition with ease, Jake Barnes has struggled with his battle wounds, which I think are not only physical but also mental. War is such a powerful thing that can create havoc in a person's life, and I think that Jake Barnes is an example of this. Reading about Jake's crazy friends and drinking habits as well as this incorporated stream of consciousness, I have a better understanding about Jake's life and the reason why he is the way he is.
"That has nothing to do with the story. Anyway,..."
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