" 'Oh, Jake,' Brett said, 'we could have had such a damned good time together.'
Ahead was a mounted policeman in khaki directing traffic. He raised his baton. The car slowed suddenly pressing Brett against me.
'Yes,' I said, 'Isn't it pretty to think so?' " Page 251
When I read this, my thought was 'Are you serious? Really?!'
Honestly, I was confused during most of this book. I didn't understand the point or where the plot was heading. Also, Brett's relationship with Jake was never fully explained and so I was constantly waiting for some information on it to be revealed. They both seemed to care about each other so why weren't they together?
So obviously this ending was not appreciated at all. Hemingway once again left me confused. Brett and Jake admit that they would be good together but they act as though a relationship is impossible. But why??? I think I may have disliked this ending even more than 'The Things They Carried'. What was the point?
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
First tongues, now ears?
"Romero took the ear from his brother and held it up toward the President. The President bowed and Romero, running to get ahead of the crowd, came toward us. He leaned up against the barrera and gave the ear to Brett. He nodded his head and smiled. The crowd were all about him. Brett held down the cape." Page 224
This passage wasn't quite as bad as the tongue necklace in 'The Things They Carried' but it was close. I do not understand at all what would cause a person to consider a bull ear as a good gift. It's just gross!!! I'll admit that I'm not a fan of the idea of bull fighting in general. However, keeping body parts as a souvenir just seems morbid to me. I know that to an extent it's just a cultural difference, but it's just too gross for me. If I was Brett, I don't think I would have even been able to take it. I don't know if Romero thought he was being romantic but he was not. Not at all.
This passage wasn't quite as bad as the tongue necklace in 'The Things They Carried' but it was close. I do not understand at all what would cause a person to consider a bull ear as a good gift. It's just gross!!! I'll admit that I'm not a fan of the idea of bull fighting in general. However, keeping body parts as a souvenir just seems morbid to me. I know that to an extent it's just a cultural difference, but it's just too gross for me. If I was Brett, I don't think I would have even been able to take it. I don't know if Romero thought he was being romantic but he was not. Not at all.
Hyperbole
" 'I'm a tremendous bankrupt," Mike said. "I owe money to everybody. Don't you owe any money?'
'Tons.'
'I owe everybody money,' Mike said.' " Page 196
Sometimes I'm not sure whether to take what Mike says seriously. He exaggerates often, especially, it seems, when he has been drinking. But he is also very blunt and honest. He is the only one to say how annoying Robert is. Everyone else was thinking it anyway. He was a little harsh but he spoke honestly. However, I he was definitely exaggerating here.
He states twice that he owes everybody money. Now, he is obviously using hyperbole when he says everybody. I also think that he is exaggerating the intensity of his financial problems. If his bankruptcy was as awful as he says, then I don't think he would be in Spain. He would not be vacationing and spending so much money on drinks and nice hotels.
Conflict
" 'I say, you were cold,' Mike said.
'Where the hell were you?'
'Oh, I was around.'
'You didn't want to mix in it?'
'He knocked Mike down, too,' Edna said.
'He didn't knock me out,' Mike said. 'I just lay there.'
'Does this happen every night at your fiestas?' Edna asked. 'Wasn't that Mr. Cohn?' " Page 195
Robert is very conflicted. It seems to me that he actually shows both internal and external conflict in the scene that caused the dialogue in this passage. The external conflict is obvious: he punches both Mike and Jake. This surprised me because it is very uncharacteristic of him. Up until this point i saw him as timid and spineless.
His internal conflict however fits him a little bit better. He just can't get over Brett. I think that part of him realizes she's moved on and is in love with Pedro. However, part of him is so in love and naive that he can't accept it. I think this actually explains his violence in this chapter. He is frustrated with the situation but he won't approach Brett. Like Frances, I think she intimidates him a little. So he takes it out on the other guys who, especially Mike, are enjoying his suffering and naivete.
'Where the hell were you?'
'Oh, I was around.'
'You didn't want to mix in it?'
'He knocked Mike down, too,' Edna said.
'He didn't knock me out,' Mike said. 'I just lay there.'
'Does this happen every night at your fiestas?' Edna asked. 'Wasn't that Mr. Cohn?' " Page 195
Robert is very conflicted. It seems to me that he actually shows both internal and external conflict in the scene that caused the dialogue in this passage. The external conflict is obvious: he punches both Mike and Jake. This surprised me because it is very uncharacteristic of him. Up until this point i saw him as timid and spineless.
His internal conflict however fits him a little bit better. He just can't get over Brett. I think that part of him realizes she's moved on and is in love with Pedro. However, part of him is so in love and naive that he can't accept it. I think this actually explains his violence in this chapter. He is frustrated with the situation but he won't approach Brett. Like Frances, I think she intimidates him a little. So he takes it out on the other guys who, especially Mike, are enjoying his suffering and naivete.
Montoya
"Just then Montoya came into the room. He started to smile at me, then he saw Pedro Romero with a big glass of cognac in his hand, sitting laughing between me and a woman with bare shoulders, at a table full of drunks. He did not even nod." Pages 180 and 181
This passage about Montoya intrigued me a lot. He seems to me to be very judgemental and old fashioned. I think you have to do a lot to earn his approval. He has a great deal of respect for Jake simply because of his true love for bull fighting. However, when Jake claims that Bill has the same love Montoya is slow to believe this. He seems very close-minded. It surprised me that an incident as simple as this could completely break down all the respect he had for Jake. I don't think it is far for him to judge so quickly. After all, Jake is from a very different culture. Montoya should be more open and not so conservative.
This passage about Montoya intrigued me a lot. He seems to me to be very judgemental and old fashioned. I think you have to do a lot to earn his approval. He has a great deal of respect for Jake simply because of his true love for bull fighting. However, when Jake claims that Bill has the same love Montoya is slow to believe this. He seems very close-minded. It surprised me that an incident as simple as this could completely break down all the respect he had for Jake. I don't think it is far for him to judge so quickly. After all, Jake is from a very different culture. Montoya should be more open and not so conservative.
Dynamic Character
" 'Oh, don't stand up and act as though you were going to hit me. That won't make an difference to me. Tell me, Robert. Why do you follow Brett around like a poor bloody steer? Don't you know you're not wanted? I know when I'm not wanted. Why don't you know when you're not wanted? You came down to San Sebastian where you weren't wanted, and followed Brett around like a bloody steer. Do you think that's right?' " Page 146
In my opinion, Robert Cohn is a very dynamic character. In the first few pages of the novel, Jake describes him and his past. He explains that when he was first with Frances, he never even looked at another woman. New York changed that a little. As a result, Frances became over protective and Robert became afraid even talking about spending any amount of time with another woman. And now all of a sudden he is following Brett around like a puppy dog. He also had short fling with her in San Sebastian. This seems very different from the scared man Jake introduces at the beginning of the novel.
However, one thing has not changed. He is extremely naive. He is even getting on my nerves with his obsession with Brett. He became so sure that she loved him too and he still can't see the truth.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Foreshadowing
" 'Your friends are here,' he said.
'Mr. Campbell?'
'Yes. Mr. Cohn and Mr. Campbell and Lady Ashely.'
He smiled as though there were something I would hear about." Page 135
This passage is a great example of foreshadowing. It foreshadows the scene that occurs on pages 138 and 139. Bill and Jake are reunited with Brett, Mike, and Robert. It is a very tense situation. Robert is again being annoying. His over helpfulness that he shows towards Brett is not well received. The above passage foreshadows this very well. Montoya's knowing smile shows Jake that while everyone has arrived there's more going on than what Jake knows and is prepared for. It prepares him and the reader for the drama going on between Robert and Brett.
'Mr. Campbell?'
'Yes. Mr. Cohn and Mr. Campbell and Lady Ashely.'
He smiled as though there were something I would hear about." Page 135
This passage is a great example of foreshadowing. It foreshadows the scene that occurs on pages 138 and 139. Bill and Jake are reunited with Brett, Mike, and Robert. It is a very tense situation. Robert is again being annoying. His over helpfulness that he shows towards Brett is not well received. The above passage foreshadows this very well. Montoya's knowing smile shows Jake that while everyone has arrived there's more going on than what Jake knows and is prepared for. It prepares him and the reader for the drama going on between Robert and Brett.
Vernacular
" 'Where you go now?'
'Up to Burguete to fish.'
'Well,' he said, 'I hope you catch something.'
He shook hands and turned around to the back seat again. The other Basques had been impressed. He sat back comfortably and smiled at me when I turned around to look at the country. But the effort of talking American seemed to have tired him. He did not say anything after that." Page 113
I found this passage interesting because it showed me two very important points. First of all, it pointed out the vernacular of the area. These peasants probably either spoke Spanish or Basque, not French which is the main language that the characters speak even though it is translated for the readers. And they certainly did not normally speak English. This was an important passage because it introduced the setting. Bill and Jake were in a very foreign land and they could not speak the language well, if at all.
This passage also showed an important aspect of the Basques and their culture. They seemed friendly and welcoming, but they were not educated in areas such as English. I found it very interesting that the Basques were so impressed that one could speak the American language. This showed how uncommon it was. In France, many knew English but in this remote area it was much less common.
Friends??
"I have never seen a man in civil life as nervous as Robert Cohn-nor as eager. I was envying it. It was lousy to enjoy it, but I felt lousy. Cohn had a wonderful quality of bringing out the worst in anybody." Page 104
I found this passage very interesting. In the first few pages of the novel, Jake states that he is one of Robert's two friends in Paris. I figured then that he obviously wasn't a popular guy. However, I assumed that at least Jake liked him. But in this passage, Jake is ammused by his naivete and enjoys his suffering. I don't usually do this to my friends. However, I will admit that Robert was getting extremely annoying.
His naivete intrigued me. How could this guy be so oblivious? Jake told him that Brett was going to marry Mike and Robert still acts like he has a chance. Why is he putting himself through this?
I found this passage very interesting. In the first few pages of the novel, Jake states that he is one of Robert's two friends in Paris. I figured then that he obviously wasn't a popular guy. However, I assumed that at least Jake liked him. But in this passage, Jake is ammused by his naivete and enjoys his suffering. I don't usually do this to my friends. However, I will admit that Robert was getting extremely annoying.
His naivete intrigued me. How could this guy be so oblivious? Jake told him that Brett was going to marry Mike and Robert still acts like he has a chance. Why is he putting himself through this?
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Allusion
" 'It's enough to make a man join the Klan,' Bill said. The priest looked back at him." Page 93
Originally I was going to blog about how Hemingway alluded to the Catholic Church and aspects of it. But I decided that the Ku Klux Klan reference would be better to discuss. First of all, he alludes to it by using its shorter name of simply the 'Klan' instead of coming out and saying it. This makes the allusion fit better in a casual conversation. Also, the Catholic Church is mentioned many times while this is the first time the Klan is discussed.
I think this allusion is important because it is something that the novel's American audience could identify with. The rest of the novel is set in foreign countries and there are not many American connections. This was something they were familiar with and informed about.
Originally I was going to blog about how Hemingway alluded to the Catholic Church and aspects of it. But I decided that the Ku Klux Klan reference would be better to discuss. First of all, he alludes to it by using its shorter name of simply the 'Klan' instead of coming out and saying it. This makes the allusion fit better in a casual conversation. Also, the Catholic Church is mentioned many times while this is the first time the Klan is discussed.
I think this allusion is important because it is something that the novel's American audience could identify with. The rest of the novel is set in foreign countries and there are not many American connections. This was something they were familiar with and informed about.
No more French please!
" After the coffee and a fine we got the bill, chalked up the same as ever on a slate, that was doubtless one of the 'quaint' features, paid it, shook hands, and went out." Page 82
I do not speak French. So Hemingway's habit of randomly throwing a French word or two into a paragraph is not appreciated. In fact, I find it quite frustrating. I constantly have to either guess using context clues or look it up. For instance fine is a type of liqueur. I had originally guessed that it maybe meant dessert. I'm sure many who read this novel don't necessarily look the words up. The random French words could potentially make parts of this novel extremely confusing. I think they are extremely unnecessary.
I do not speak French. So Hemingway's habit of randomly throwing a French word or two into a paragraph is not appreciated. In fact, I find it quite frustrating. I constantly have to either guess using context clues or look it up. For instance fine is a type of liqueur. I had originally guessed that it maybe meant dessert. I'm sure many who read this novel don't necessarily look the words up. The random French words could potentially make parts of this novel extremely confusing. I think they are extremely unnecessary.
Book 2 ?
"I did not see Brett again until she came back from San Sebastian. One card came from her from there. It had a picture of the Concha, and said: 'Darling. Very quiet and healthy. Love to all the chaps. Brett.' " Page 75
I am thoroughly confused (again). When I got this book a few weeks ago, I flipped through it to see how many chapters were in it. At this time I saw that there were three 'books'. I was very curious as to why an author would split his novel into different books. I assumed that maybe the different books included different characters or something like that. So I was very confused when he was still going on about Brett. Then he starts talking about Robert. So basically, nothing has changed. So what's the point??
Friday, August 6, 2010
Brett
" 'She's a drunk,' I said. 'She's in love with Mike Campbell, and she's going to marry him.' " Page 46
Brett continues to confuse me more and more. Jake claims she is in love with Mike but on page 41 she herself says differently. She claims that she truthfully is in love with Jake. I'm thoroughly confused. Okay, so she's married to some Lord but she's getting a divorce. Then she says she's in love with Jake who she obviously has some short of history with. Now she's engaged to this Mike guy?! What?! And the author has still revealed basically nothing about her past. This confusing love triangle centering around Brett is too much for me.
Oxymoron
" 'The Englishmen all have Saturday off,' Woolsey said.
'Lucky beggars,' said Krum." Page 44
Originally I found the characters' contempt for the English very interesting. However then I remembered a passage on page 39 where Jake states that all foreigners were called Englishmen by some. This made the oxymoron 'lucky beggars' a little less confusing. They were lucky for the obvious reasons: they got Saturdays off. But Woolsey calls them beggars to show his contempt for them. He uses it as a derogatory term. I found this oxymoron very interesting. Woolsey felt contempt for them but at the same time he envied them.
However, I was confused as to why Woolsey made this statement while in Jake's presence. Jake himself is a foreigner or an 'Englishman'. Would that not in a way be an insult to him? It seemed odd to me.
'Lucky beggars,' said Krum." Page 44
Originally I found the characters' contempt for the English very interesting. However then I remembered a passage on page 39 where Jake states that all foreigners were called Englishmen by some. This made the oxymoron 'lucky beggars' a little less confusing. They were lucky for the obvious reasons: they got Saturdays off. But Woolsey calls them beggars to show his contempt for them. He uses it as a derogatory term. I found this oxymoron very interesting. Woolsey felt contempt for them but at the same time he envied them.
However, I was confused as to why Woolsey made this statement while in Jake's presence. Jake himself is a foreigner or an 'Englishman'. Would that not in a way be an insult to him? It seemed odd to me.
More than just coffee
"I said goodnight to Brett at the bar. The count was buying champagne.
'Will you take a glass of wine with us, sir?' he asked." Page 36
This short passage led me to an important realization. And then it led to a great feeling of stupidity.
It seems like the characters spend half of their time in cafes. Up until this point, I was thinking American cafes. So basically I was envisions a 1920s version of Starbucks. Then later Jake talks about ordering a beer. So one might understand why I was just a tad confused. And then BAM! As I was reading this passage I suddenly flash backed to my sophomore year Spanish class when my teacher explained an important cultural difference between America and Europe. In Europe, cafes are in a way similar to our bars. Yes, they sell coffee but they have alcoholic beverages at well. This is an important cultural difference and is key to understanding the novel. I'm just glad I realized it...eventually.
Exposition
"I told the driver to go to the Parc Montsouris, and got in, and slammed the door. Brett was leaning back in the corner, her eyes closed. I sat beside her. The cab started with a jerk.
'Oh, darling. I've been so miserable,' Brett said." Page 32
I find Hemingway's execution of exposition very interesting. He approaches the introduction of each character differently. He is straightforward when discussing Robert and fills the reader in on basically his whole life and background. On the other hand, he never reveals much about the narrator, Jake. I'm assuming more is revealed as the story progresses. And then there's Brett. In a way, the author leaves the reader confused when it comes to her. He gives a limited amount of information about her but never fully explains. At the end of this passage, I assumed that the next chapter would explain her former (or present) relationship with Jake. But I was wrong. I am extremely confused. Obviously they had/have some short of romantic relationship but have no commitment to each other. I believe Hemingway leaves the reader guessing to strengthen Brett's character. He wants her character, I think, to be in a shroud of mystery. He wants her to be seen as unpredictable.
'Oh, darling. I've been so miserable,' Brett said." Page 32
I find Hemingway's execution of exposition very interesting. He approaches the introduction of each character differently. He is straightforward when discussing Robert and fills the reader in on basically his whole life and background. On the other hand, he never reveals much about the narrator, Jake. I'm assuming more is revealed as the story progresses. And then there's Brett. In a way, the author leaves the reader confused when it comes to her. He gives a limited amount of information about her but never fully explains. At the end of this passage, I assumed that the next chapter would explain her former (or present) relationship with Jake. But I was wrong. I am extremely confused. Obviously they had/have some short of romantic relationship but have no commitment to each other. I believe Hemingway leaves the reader guessing to strengthen Brett's character. He wants her character, I think, to be in a shroud of mystery. He wants her to be seen as unpredictable.
Opposing Views
" 'Have you been in Paris long? Do you like it here? You love Paris, do you not?'...
'No, I don't like Paris. It's expensive and dirty.'
'Really? I find it so extraordinarily clean.' " Page 26
This passage stood out to me for a couple reasons. First of all, this was the second time in the novel that someone showed a dislike of Paris. It was first Robert who expressed this view and his dislike was so strong that he wanted to leave and visit South America. Georgette repeats this view. I found this interesting because neither of them are originally from Paris. Hemingway never reveals where Georgette is from but he implies that her home is not Paris. So, it is obviously their choice to live in Paris. Why would they choose a city that they dislike?
I also found it interesting that Frances loved Paris when the others disliked it so much. I found it intriguing that Hemingway chose to illustrate two completely opposite views. I found myself wondering which view Hemingway himself possessed. I believe that Hemingway's opinion of Paris is closer to Robert's and Georgette's. First of all, he expressed this view twice through two different characters. Also, during this scene the author states that Frances is a little drunk. Therefore, I believe that Hemingway is suggesting that her opinion is not as trustworthy as Georgette's.
Motivation
"I had picked her up because of a vague sentimental idea that it would be nice to eat with some one. It was a long time since I had dined with a poule, and I had forgotten how dull it could be." Page 24
Jake's motivation for asking Georgette to dinner interested me. To be blunt, in my opinion, when a guy picks up a harlot it isn't usually just for dinner. I was very curious about the fact that he just wanted some company for dinner. It made me ask a lot of questions about him. Did he just get out of a relationship and he was having trouble adjusting to being alone? Why didn't he just go eat with one of his other friends like Robert? It seemed weird that when he was solely looking for a bit of company, he chose a complete stranger.
I think Hemingway was trying to show some of Jake's personality traits. Jake, like most people wants company and companionship. Although, he does not seem to care too much about the quality. I kind of thought this while he was describing Robert. For a guy that he thought of as a close friend, he didn't seem to think very highly of him.
Jake's motivation for asking Georgette to dinner interested me. To be blunt, in my opinion, when a guy picks up a harlot it isn't usually just for dinner. I was very curious about the fact that he just wanted some company for dinner. It made me ask a lot of questions about him. Did he just get out of a relationship and he was having trouble adjusting to being alone? Why didn't he just go eat with one of his other friends like Robert? It seemed weird that when he was solely looking for a bit of company, he chose a complete stranger.
I think Hemingway was trying to show some of Jake's personality traits. Jake, like most people wants company and companionship. Although, he does not seem to care too much about the quality. I kind of thought this while he was describing Robert. For a guy that he thought of as a close friend, he didn't seem to think very highly of him.
I wonder...
" 'I can't do it,' he said, and put his head deeper into his arms. 'I can't do it. Nothing will make me do it.' " Page 20
I'm curious about Hemingway's purpose for this scene. When sleeping, a person in a way enters their subconscious. The frustration Robert shows during his sleep-talking episode interested me. I honestly really want to know what he was dreaming about. Was he reliving persecution he faced at Princeton? I want to know the meaning of it! I think in a way this was Hemingway's purpose, he wanted to spark the reader's interest.
However, I think he also used this passage to show the readers a couple more of Robert's characteristics. It shows that he is timid. The physical motion of putting his head deeper into his arms made me picture him cowering in fear. I believe he feels inferior. But he is also stubborn. On page 18, Jake refers to his Jewish stubbornness. Hemingway uses this passage to illustrate this. It seems to me that Robert is being threatened in his dream, thus the cowering. However, he shows stubbornness by refusing what he is being ordered to do.
I'm curious about Hemingway's purpose for this scene. When sleeping, a person in a way enters their subconscious. The frustration Robert shows during his sleep-talking episode interested me. I honestly really want to know what he was dreaming about. Was he reliving persecution he faced at Princeton? I want to know the meaning of it! I think in a way this was Hemingway's purpose, he wanted to spark the reader's interest.
However, I think he also used this passage to show the readers a couple more of Robert's characteristics. It shows that he is timid. The physical motion of putting his head deeper into his arms made me picture him cowering in fear. I believe he feels inferior. But he is also stubborn. On page 18, Jake refers to his Jewish stubbornness. Hemingway uses this passage to illustrate this. It seems to me that Robert is being threatened in his dream, thus the cowering. However, he shows stubbornness by refusing what he is being ordered to do.
Direct Characterization
"Robert Cohn was once middleweight boxing champion of Princeton. Do not think that I am very much impressed by that as a boxing title, but it meant a lot to Cohn. He cared nothing for boxing, in fact he disliked it, but he learned it painfully and thoroughly to counteract the feeling of inferiority and shyness he had felt on being treated as a Jew at Princeton." Page 11
I found this passage as a very intriguing way to start the book. It begins with the direct characterization of a character without introducing the character in any other way. It shows many things about Robert that the reader may not have observed if Hemingway had used indirect characterization. Just on the first page, the reader learns that Robert is part of a minority that is often discriminated against: Jews. The novel was published in 1926. This was only a couple decades before the Holocaust. The prejudices experienced in this period were already forming in the 1920s and therefore readers would understand the persecution Robert faced immediately. His strive to find self worth because of his inferior place in society tells the reader a great deal about his character. He is timid and relies heavily on others' approval of him.
I also found it interesting that this direct characterization was from another character in the story. I thought it was a little odd that Jake describes his friend before he describes himself. I'm still a little confused by it. Through the whole first chapter Jake never really describes himself. All that he really reveals is that he is one of Robert's two friends in Paris. I thought this was extremely odd.
I found this passage as a very intriguing way to start the book. It begins with the direct characterization of a character without introducing the character in any other way. It shows many things about Robert that the reader may not have observed if Hemingway had used indirect characterization. Just on the first page, the reader learns that Robert is part of a minority that is often discriminated against: Jews. The novel was published in 1926. This was only a couple decades before the Holocaust. The prejudices experienced in this period were already forming in the 1920s and therefore readers would understand the persecution Robert faced immediately. His strive to find self worth because of his inferior place in society tells the reader a great deal about his character. He is timid and relies heavily on others' approval of him.
I also found it interesting that this direct characterization was from another character in the story. I thought it was a little odd that Jake describes his friend before he describes himself. I'm still a little confused by it. Through the whole first chapter Jake never really describes himself. All that he really reveals is that he is one of Robert's two friends in Paris. I thought this was extremely odd.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.jpg)