For today’s blog, comment on the last chapter of The Sun Also Rises. You can really talk about anything you want here–maybe Jake’s trip to San Sebastian and what happens there; maybe Brett’s decision to leave Pedro Romero and why she makes this choice; how the theme of religion and religious seeking, that we’ve been talking about throughout our discussion of the novel, is carried out at the end; perhaps that famous final line of the novel: “Isn’t it pretty to think so?” Speculate about this final chapter, in any case, and what you think Hemingway is doing here.
While reading the final chapter of The Sun Also Rises, or “Book 3,” it is shockingly apparent how much change Jake has experienced throughout the duration of the novel. Jake seems to take a different outlook on the course of his life in relation to the safety of his usual urban surroundings and how he longs for an escape to San Sebastian. However, once he arrives in San Sebastian for his much needed break from the group, his trip is interrupted by a telegram from Brett. Jake says, “I suppose, vaguely, I had expected something of the sort” (243). This line leads me to believe that he is more aware now of these expectations than he has ever been in the past. That rather, this was him going through the motions of Brett’s antics instead of holding out hope for her.Additionally, in the final chapter we see Jake acknowledge the end of the fiesta, this is a turning point within the group dynamics as well as money becomes starkly real again. Hemingway takes extra interest in highlighting who pays for the drinks, cabs, and who tips now that the fiesta is finished. For instance, “I’ve no money,” Mike said. “I’m stony. I’ve just twenty francs. Here, take twenty francs.” Bill’s face sort of changed” (233). This excerpt in particular was interesting because now that Brett has run off with Romero, Mike seems to be throwing a sort of pity party for himself and suddenly has no money to his name despite his frivolous spending previously. It seems to take more precedence than it did before and we as readers truly get a look at who must face the consequences of their previous actions when money once held no value. Another point that really caught my attention in this last chapter was when Jake and Brett are in a taxi after their lunch and drinks touring Madrid. We see a change in Brett as well but it is more or less a shift rather than a sign of growth within her character. Brett remarks on how wonderful things could have been between the two. This is interesting because she would not entertain Jake this way before. Upon first reading, I am expecting Jake to be physically taken back by this comment as we know how invested he is in her well being and overall livelihood, as he has been pining after her for forever. But instead we see him react by saying, “Isn’t it pretty to think so?” (250). He says this the same time she leans into him. So, we see this physical closeness between the pair, whilst he seemingly distances himself from her by remarking that it is definitely “a thought” rather than something real to consider. This shows so much growth on his end as he finally seems to realize there is not a world in which the two would work together in the way he has always hoped for. I think Hemingway ended the novel on this revelation from Jake’s side as it showcases a sort of ending to the endless suffering Jake has experienced at the hands of Brett. But, rather now he is able to process such a statement with a realistic approach he once lacked.
Great response, Kanyn! I like the way you notice a definite turning point in the book after the fiesta ends. And yes, the paying theme continues, with Mike having no money, but Jake continuing to pay for things. Many critics suggest that Jake realizes he must “pay” for his relationship with Brett when he goes to Madrid to meet her. I also like what you say about the realistic approach at the end of the novel. Brett might still be living in a bit of a fantasy world about her relationship with Jake, but Jake realizes that their affair is only a pretty idea? In some ways, I think this identifies him as the typical Hemingway hero, because he looks at life unflinchingly and honestly at the end, even if he must face the sorrow and pain of it.
In chapter 19, the friend group finally and completely separate, everyone headed off to somewhere different. It’s the end of their stay as tourists and real life is calling them back again. However, the fiestas have proven to change Jake in permanent ways. As Mike departs from the group, Jake is left with a different view on money. He no longer sees every action as transactional, and decides to not haggle with the taxi driver. However, not everything has changed, because later Jake discusses the difference between Spain and France, stating that at least in France, if you tip well you are certain to be treated well. In Spain, how you are treated depends on many other factors. This simple example of views on money illuminates the ways Jake has changed, but yet still not at all. Later, when Brett sends him a telegram asking him to meet her in Madrid, we can see very clearly how his duty towards Brett is forever, just like her insatiable love life. These two will constantly be stuck in this tormentable love. Brett will never leave him alone because she finds comfort in knowing that his love is pure (since they are sure to never let sex get in the way), and Jake will always feel like he has to uphold a duty to take care of her.
Yes, Sara. I agree that Jake feels he must “uphold a duty” to take care of Brett. In some ways, he seems like the Count in that he appreciates the value of people and things, but also understands that he must pay a price for the value he receives. I personally think that Hemingway’s vision of gender here is fairly ahead of its time. The man who wants to “own” Brett, to have her all to himself in a traditionally romantic relationship–Robert Cohn–loses out. But both the Count and Jake allow her space to live her own life, however loose and free she wants to be.
This final chapter signals an end to the fiesta. Normally the end of a novel provides resolution, with the characters having gone through changes and having new outlooks on life. What’s interesting about this chapter is that these characters have changed, not necessarily for the better, and yet have stayed the same. They all return to their normal lives; Bill and Cohn returning to Paris, with Cohn most likely having returned to Frances. He had experienced a great love and longing for Brett and even acted out ragefully for her, yet settled for his old relationship. Brett ending her relationship with Romero, arguing it was for his own good, but readers know she can never settle down with any man, or change herself for anyone. She comes out of this and immediately decides to get back with Mike, her safety net that allows her to form new relationships. When the fiestas over everyone goes back to caring about money spent and dealt; how they are still transactions as well as forms of alliances. Jake seems to have changed the most out of his friends, but not for the better. He realizes his relationship with Brett will never be more than it is, yet he still chooses to be there for her when she needs him.
I think this whole chapter really revolves around the repeated idea of this Lost Generation. This group of people have just journeyed though a wild week of festivities; seeing things that could change a persons views on life (bullfighting, goring, etc.), yet they all remain stagnant in their positions in life. They wander aimlessly from city to city, making no plans for the future and wasting their days away drinking. They have this outlook on life, most likely from their involvement in the war, that nothing in life can change, or it doesn’t matter to them if it does or doesn’t.
You offer a really interesting perspective, Lily. You make a good argument that nothing’s really changed that much after the fiesta, which highlights the stagnant and lost lives these characters experience. It’s interesting that other students don’t necessarily agree, some arguing that the characters HAVE changed. Certainly, critics writing about the novel also disagree wildly about how we’re to take this ending. Is Brett redeemed when she leaves Pedro Romero, because she decides not to “ruin” him for her own selfish pleasure (not to be a “bitch”)? Or does she leave him mostly because he wants to change her–to marry her and have her grow her hair out and become a more conventional woman? Are the two even mutually exclusive? Is Brett still deluded about herself and Jake at the end and the relationship they could have had? And what about Jake? He seems to be still rescuing Brett like he was before. But does he, perhaps, go back to his old role with a new understanding that any relationship between the two of them is just a “pretty” idea with no basis in reality? In many ways, the quality Hemingway most admired was the ability to be unflinchingly honest with one’s self, even in a tragic, lost world. Anyway, lots of food for thought in your comment!