The Hemingway Hero Essay Research Paper The

The Hemingway Hero Essay, Research Paper The Sun Also Rises: Hemingway’s depiction of the traditional hero The Hemingway Hero Prevalent among many of Ernest Hemingway s novels is the conceptpopularly known as the Hemingway hero , an ideal character readilyaccepted by American readers as a man s man . In The Sun Also Rises,four different men are compared and contrasted as they engage in someform of relationship with Lady Brett Ashley, a near-nymphomaniacEnglishwoman who indulges in her passion for sex and control. Brettplans to marry her fiancee for superficial reasons, completely ruins oneman emotionally and spiritually, separates from another to preserve theidea of their short-lived affair and to avoid self-destruction, anddenies and disgraces the only man whom she loves

most dearly. All herrelationships occur in a period of months, as Brett either accepts orrejects certain values or traits of each man. Brett, as a dynamic andself-controlled woman, and her four love interests help demonstrateHemingway s standard definition of a man and/or masculinity. Each manBrett has a relationship with in the novel possesses distinct qualitiesthat enable Hemingway to explore what it is to truly be a man. TheHemingway man thus presented is a man of action, of self-discipline andself-reliance, and of strength and courage to confront all weaknesses,fears, failures, and even death. Jake Barnes, as the narrator and supposed hero of the novel, fell inlove with Brett some years ago and is still powerfully anduncontrollably in love with her. However, Jake is

unfortunately acasualty of the war, having been emasculated in a freak accident. Stilladjusting to his impotence at the beginning of the novel, Jake has lostall power and desire to have sex. Because of this, Jake and Brettcannot be lovers and all attempts at a relationship that is sexuallyfulfilling are simply futile. Brett is a passionate, lustful woman whois driven by the most intimate and loving act two may share, somethingthat Jake just cannot provide her with. Jake s emasculation only putsthe two in a grandly ironic situation. Brett is an extremely passionatewoman but is denied the first man she feels true love and admirationfor. Jake has loved Brett for years and cannot have her because of hisinability to have sex. It is obvious that their love is mutual whenJake tries to

kiss Brett in their cab ride home: You mustn t. Youmust know. I can t stand it, that s all. Oh darling, pleaseunderstand! , Don t you love me? , Love you? I simply turn all tojelly when you touch me (26, Ch. 4). This scene is indicative of theirrelationship as Jake and Brett hopelessly desire each other but realizethe futility of further endeavors. Together, they have both tried todefy reality, but failed. Jake is frustrated by Brett s reappearanceinto his life and her confession that she is miserably unhappy. Jakeasks Brett to go off with him to the country for bit: Couldn t we gooff in the country for a while? , It wouldn t be any good. I ll go ifyou like. But I couldn t live quietly in the country. Not with my owntrue love , I know , Isn t it rotten? There isn t any use my

tellingyou I love you , You know I love you , Let s not talk. Talking s allbilge (55, Ch. 7). Brett declines Jake s pointless attempt at beingtogether. Both Brett and Jake know that any relationship beyond afriendship cannot be pursued. Jake is still adjusting to his impotencewhile Brett will not sacrifice a sexual relationship for the man sheloves. Since Jake can never be Brett s lover, they are forced to create a newrelationship for themselves, perhaps one far more dangerous than that ofmere lovers – they have become best friends. This presents a greatdifficulty for Jake, because Brett s presence is both pleasurable andagonizing for him. Brett constantly reminds him of his handicap andthus Jake is challenged as a man in the deepest, most personal sensepossible. After the