البـــــوابـــة
The Sun Also Rises Summary
How It All Goes Down
Jake Barnes and his expatriate friends live in the topsy-turvy, hedonistic (sensual and self-indulgent) world of post-World War I
Paris. There, they occasionally work, but spend most of their time
partying, drinking, and arguing. From Jake’s perspective, we meet the
cast of characters that populates his story: the most important among
them are Robert Cohn, a weak-willed, down-on-his-luck Princeton grad and unsuccessful writer, and Lady Brett Ashley, an exciting, beautiful, and unpredictable British divorcee.
Although
Jake and Brett are actually in love, they aren’t together, presumably
because a mysterious war wound has rendered Jake impotent. Cohn falls
in love with Brett (as everyone does) and, despite the fact that she’s
not terribly impressed with him, she secretly goes on a trip with him
to the Spanish resort town of San Sebastian.
Cohn is infatuated with Brett – he’s completely smitten. We’re talking
truly, madly, deeply in smit. Unfortunately for Cohn (and for everyone,
for that matter), Brett is engaged to a wealthy, charming, and utterly
inept drunkard named Mike. Jake’s whimsical friend Bill returns to
Paris from a trip and a plan is born: everyone agrees to decamp to
Spain for some fishing and the running of the bulls in Pamplona.
On
their brief fishing trip, Bill and Jake have a splendid time communing
with nature and with each other, but the relaxation quickly comes to an
end. They return to civilization and meet up with Brett, Mike, and Cohn
in Pamplona for a weeklong orgy of bullfights, alcohol, and high drama.
Jake has a true passion (aficion) for bullfighting, but everyone
else is simply there to have a good time. Brett begins a rather
scandalous affair with a passionate and talented young bull-fighter,
Pedro Romero. Jake feels terrible for many reasons – among them is the
fear that he has corrupted Romero in some way by introducing him to
Brett. Cohn’s thwarted infatuation with Brett leads to arguments with
everyone and, finally, he beats the unfortunate Romero to a bloody
pulp. As the fiesta winds down, everyone leaves Pamplona in various
states of anxiety, depression and frustration.
Jake heads to San
Sebastian, where he intends to decompress alone for a while.
Unfortunately, desperate telegrams from Brett arrive immediately. He
goes to her in Madrid,
where she is alone, having sent Romero away. For the first time, we see
Brett truly vulnerable, afraid, and guilty. The future looks just as
bleak – Jake and Brett agree again that, even though they love each
other, they can’t be together.
How It All Goes Down
Jake Barnes and his expatriate friends live in the topsy-turvy, hedonistic (sensual and self-indulgent) world of post-World War I
Paris. There, they occasionally work, but spend most of their time
partying, drinking, and arguing. From Jake’s perspective, we meet the
cast of characters that populates his story: the most important among
them are Robert Cohn, a weak-willed, down-on-his-luck Princeton grad and unsuccessful writer, and Lady Brett Ashley, an exciting, beautiful, and unpredictable British divorcee.
Although
Jake and Brett are actually in love, they aren’t together, presumably
because a mysterious war wound has rendered Jake impotent. Cohn falls
in love with Brett (as everyone does) and, despite the fact that she’s
not terribly impressed with him, she secretly goes on a trip with him
to the Spanish resort town of San Sebastian.
Cohn is infatuated with Brett – he’s completely smitten. We’re talking
truly, madly, deeply in smit. Unfortunately for Cohn (and for everyone,
for that matter), Brett is engaged to a wealthy, charming, and utterly
inept drunkard named Mike. Jake’s whimsical friend Bill returns to
Paris from a trip and a plan is born: everyone agrees to decamp to
Spain for some fishing and the running of the bulls in Pamplona.
On
their brief fishing trip, Bill and Jake have a splendid time communing
with nature and with each other, but the relaxation quickly comes to an
end. They return to civilization and meet up with Brett, Mike, and Cohn
in Pamplona for a weeklong orgy of bullfights, alcohol, and high drama.
Jake has a true passion (aficion) for bullfighting, but everyone
else is simply there to have a good time. Brett begins a rather
scandalous affair with a passionate and talented young bull-fighter,
Pedro Romero. Jake feels terrible for many reasons – among them is the
fear that he has corrupted Romero in some way by introducing him to
Brett. Cohn’s thwarted infatuation with Brett leads to arguments with
everyone and, finally, he beats the unfortunate Romero to a bloody
pulp. As the fiesta winds down, everyone leaves Pamplona in various
states of anxiety, depression and frustration.
Jake heads to San
Sebastian, where he intends to decompress alone for a while.
Unfortunately, desperate telegrams from Brett arrive immediately. He
goes to her in Madrid,
where she is alone, having sent Romero away. For the first time, we see
Brett truly vulnerable, afraid, and guilty. The future looks just as
bleak – Jake and Brett agree again that, even though they love each
other, they can’t be together.
