The Sun Also Rises

The Sun Also Rises (1st ed. cover)

The Sun Also Rises

The Sun Also Rises is a novel by Ernest Hemingway that was first published in 1926. The novel is considered one of Hemingway's masterpieces and a classic of modern American literature. It is often regarded as one of the most important works of the Lost Generation, a term used to describe a group of American writers who were disillusioned by the aftermath of World War I.

Plot Summary

The novel is set in the mid-1920s and follows a group of expatriates from the United States and the United Kingdom as they travel from Paris to the Festival of San Fermín in Pamplona, Spain. The story is narrated by Jake Barnes, a journalist and World War I veteran who is impotent due to a war injury. The central theme of the novel revolves around the aimlessness and disillusionment of the post-war generation.

Main Characters

• Jake Barnes: The protagonist and narrator of the novel. He is a journalist living in Paris and is in love with Lady Brett Ashley.
• Lady Brett Ashley: A beautiful, free-spirited woman who is loved by many men, including Jake Barnes.
• Robert Cohn: A writer and former boxer who is infatuated with Brett.
• Bill Gorton: A humorous and loyal friend of Jake.
• Mike Campbell: Brett's fiancé, who is often drunk and financially irresponsible.
• Pedro Romero: A young and talented bullfighter who becomes romantically involved with Brett.

Themes

The Sun Also Rises explores several themes, including:

• Disillusionment and Aimlessness: The novel captures the sense of disillusionment and aimlessness that characterized the Lost Generation.
• Masculinity and Insecurity: The characters grapple with issues of masculinity and insecurity, particularly Jake Barnes, who is impotent.
• Love and Desire: The complex relationships and unrequited love between the characters are central to the narrative.
• Expatriate Life: The novel portrays the lives of American and British expatriates in Europe during the 1920s.

Setting

The novel is set in various locations, including:

• Paris, France: The story begins in Paris, where the expatriates live a bohemian lifestyle.
• Pamplona, Spain: The characters travel to Pamplona to attend the Festival of San Fermín, which includes the famous running of the bulls and bullfighting events.
• Burguete, Spain: A small village in the Pyrenees where Jake and Bill go fishing.

Literary Significance

The Sun Also Rises is considered a defining work of the Lost Generation and is praised for its spare, economical prose and its vivid depiction of the expatriate experience. The novel's portrayal of the aimlessness and disillusionment of the post-war generation has resonated with readers for decades.

Adaptations

The novel has been adapted into several films and stage productions, including a 1957 film directed by Henry King and starring Tyrone Power and Ava Gardner.

See Also

• Ernest Hemingway
• Lost Generation
• World War I
• Paris
• Pamplona
• Festival of San Fermín