The Sun Also Rises: LAST BLOG

Before I even started reading this book, I was worried that I wouldn't like it or take anything away from it because of the things I heard about it, especially the things I heard about the author. Until I did some research and started looking for answers, I never knew that Hemingway was a World War I veteran. That alone changed some things for me. Instead of looking at him as a distant author not connected to his story, I viewed him as I viewed Tim O'Brien. I saw pieces of Hemingway incorporated in the book even though he was not a character. As I was reading something about Ernest Hemingway, I learned that he was seriously injured and wounded in Italy. Then I put the pieces together and thought that maybe the character Jake Barnes was a representation of himself. The both had things in common such as their involvement in WWI and their battle wounds. I got to thinking about it and wondered if maybe this story was Hemingway's outlet and way of expressing how he dealt with the postwar world. Maybe he wanted his unhappiness off of his chest but in an indirect way. Maybe this was him reaching out for help with his problems. I guess we'll never know now because he has passed away, but I thought it was interesting how Hemingway put a little bit of himself in a character.

The Sun Also Rises: Quote

"You're really about the best friend I have, Jake."

After Cohn and Barnes got into a little fight, this quote was said by Cohn. I feel bad for Cohn, because I know that Barnes definitely doesn't feel the same way. For the most part, I feel like their friendship is superficial and fake. Like I mentioned before in one of my blogs, Cohn never really fit in with the crowd that Barnes hung out with. I never really understood how the two started hanging out together in the first place. Like Cohn and Barnes, I think that there are also other false relationships in this book. For example, Montoya takes care of Barnes because he is a great and enthusiastic fan of bullfighting. At first Barnes returns respect and loyalty to Montoya, but I think in the end he betrays Montoya when he helps Brett be with Pedro Romero. Montoya tried to keep Pedro with his people and away from outside influence, and Jake completely messed that up when he introduced Brett to Pedro Romero. I think that many people in this book all needed to learn how to be a better friend.

The Sun Also Rises: Quote

"You can't get away from yourself by moving from one place to another."

I think this is a very powerful quote. These words are said by Jake to Cohn when Cohn is trying to get Jake to go with him to South America. Cohn obviously isn't happy at this time in his life, but I don't think it's because he is in Paris. Apparently, Jake and I think the same thing. I think Jake's void in life and habit of going through the motions can be attributed to his experience in the war. I think it also has something to do with his crazy social life and drinking habits. Cohn most likely thought that he could escape the real world and walk away from his existing problems by moving locations. However, I think that when he and his crew travel there are actually more problems created. The bottom line is that Robert Cohn thought he could step away from reality, but Jake set him straight and made him realize that one has to face reality wherever they are.

The Sun Also Rises: Quote

"Oh, Jake," Brett said, "we could have had such a damned good time together."
"Yes," I said. "Isn't it pretty to think so?"

I liked this quote on the last page of the book really made me think. I tried to apply the quote to my own life, and I came up with something. I feel like many people, including myself, let many opportunities and experiences pass by. This leaves them pondering the unknown with a feeling of regret. I think a lesson that I learned from this story is to take all of the chances that I can in life and to not be passive. I realize that everyone says this and it's such a chiche, but life goes by so quickly. I don't want to be like Brett and Jake asking what if questions about my life. When I look back, I want to know that I made decisions that helped me get to where I will be.

The Sun Also Rises: Montoya

I really liked the character Montoya. He was no doubt a very avid fan of bullfighting. I loved the fact that Montoya was so genuine and really cared about the sport of bullfighting. He knew bullfighting very well, and I loved how he was so dedicated to the one thing that he was really passionate about. I also liked how Montoya was a loyal and true friend to Jake because Jake was also an aficionado. He looked out for Jake and made sure he was taken care of. In addition to being there for Jake, Montoya also looked out for Pedro Romero. He was a father-like figure for Pedro. Montoya sheltered Pedro Romero from fame and any form of media from that time. Montoya did his best to keep Pedro Romero close to his people and always had Pedro Romero's best interest in mind. I like Montoya because he put others before himself.

The Sun Also Rises: Reaction to the book

Going into this book from The Things They Carried, I thought this book would talk more about the war. The Sun Also Rises didn't even have any part of the war in it. I felt like it was just all about following the social life of a war veteran. I don't really see how this book got great reviews and is viewed as a masterpiece. I don't see anything powerful about it, and I don't understand how it helped make Hemingway one of the greatest writers of the twentieth century. I definitely thought that Tim O'Brien's story was more inspirational. I really wasn't able to connect to any characters or parts of the plot in The Sun Also Rises, but I felt like I went through some of the same problems and emotions as the people in The Things They Carried. I think that maybe the time period difference between the two books had some impact on the way I feel. I usually prefer books that are set in modern times. The Things They Carried is set closer to present day than The Sun Also Rises is. I guess I just expected this book to be better than it was because of how prestigious and well-known Hemingway is.

The Sun Also Rises: Conclusion

So, I finally finished this book, and I don't really understand the conclusion. I'm not even sure you could say that there really was a conclusion. I feel like Hemingway just leaves the reader at a random point. I hate books and movies like that. Nothing irritates me more than not knowing and having a cliffhanger ending. Does Brett end up being with Jake after all? Or does she end up going back to Mike? Would he even be willing to take her back? I still have unanswered questions about what really happens in the end with all of the characters. I don't know if Hemingway does this on purpose, but it makes me really mad. I liked the other book way better, because it actually ended at a definite point. There was no confusion and no questions asked.

"Isn't it pretty to think so?" THE END.....?