I really don't know what to think of this book. It was interesting at times, but also very boring. I did not like the part where Hemmingway vividly described how the bullfighters killed the bulls with "the sword high between the shoulders" (pg 224). I also didn't like the ending. What happened with Brett and Jake? We don't ever know if they get together or if she goes back to Mike.
I honestly don't get how Jake and Lady Brett are two of Hemmingway's most unforgettable characters. I think after this semester, I will most likely forget most of the things about them. All Jake was was a depressed, at times layed back guy who liked to get drunk to solve his problems. All Brett was was a bold woman who did what and whoever she wanted. She had no feeling for the people who loved her most.
The other characters were interesting. Robert Cohn was a crybaby who shouldn't have been so week. I say, he was a boxing champion! I feel sympathy for Mike. He loved Brett and wanted to be with her, but she lost interest in him and ran off with some nineteen-year-old bullfighter. Bill was amusing. I thought he was more of the logical character and was cool with just about everything.
Over all, this book was okay. It was interesting at times (like in Paris) and then it started to become slow. Would I read this book again? Probably not. I'm not saying it wasn't good, just something I wouldn't consider reading for pleasure.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Books 1, 2, and 3
I thought splitting the book up into three parts was really clever. Each book's setting was in a different place which made following the book easier. Discussion about the book as a whole will also be more simple because one can just talk about the bullfights and you will know that they are only talking about Book 2.
Book 1 was set in Paris. It was all about Jake's activities with his friends in the wild nightlife of the city. This book was different from the other two books because it was set in a different country; therefore, the culture is different.
Book 2 was all about the bullfights and the fiesta. This was my least favorite section because it felt like the characters were in a different time period then they were in Paris. It seemed less in touch with reality.
Book 3 seemed like it was almost a turning point for Jake. He was away from Brett and from his reoccurring depression. He was able to relax by himself in San Sebastian. Then, Jake was summoned by Brett with the message "could you come Hotel Montana Madrid am rather in trouble" (pg 242). Of course Jake was going to go to Brett. I think this letter put Jake back to where he started in regards to Brett.
Book 1 was set in Paris. It was all about Jake's activities with his friends in the wild nightlife of the city. This book was different from the other two books because it was set in a different country; therefore, the culture is different.
Book 2 was all about the bullfights and the fiesta. This was my least favorite section because it felt like the characters were in a different time period then they were in Paris. It seemed less in touch with reality.
Book 3 seemed like it was almost a turning point for Jake. He was away from Brett and from his reoccurring depression. He was able to relax by himself in San Sebastian. Then, Jake was summoned by Brett with the message "could you come Hotel Montana Madrid am rather in trouble" (pg 242). Of course Jake was going to go to Brett. I think this letter put Jake back to where he started in regards to Brett.
Mood
The last chapter was concerned with only Jake and Brett. The author creates the mood for this chapter to be relaxed and layed back. Jake seems like he is getting to be happy with his life. He is not depressed anymore and is able to deal with the situation with Brett. Usually, when he was feeling bad, he would drink all the time. But in the first half of the chapter, Jake hardly drinks at all.
Then Brett sends Jake a telegram saying that she need him in Madrid. "That meant that San Sebastian was shot to hell" (pg 243). Jake's days of relaxing and feeling fine were over. Brett once again used Jake as a crutch to get through the feeling of getting rid of another one of her lovers. And once again, Jake started to drink and get drunk.
Then Brett sends Jake a telegram saying that she need him in Madrid. "That meant that San Sebastian was shot to hell" (pg 243). Jake's days of relaxing and feeling fine were over. Brett once again used Jake as a crutch to get through the feeling of getting rid of another one of her lovers. And once again, Jake started to drink and get drunk.
Bull Fight
Sometimes, I don't get where Hemmingway's inspiration for his topics comes from. Chapter 18 was all about the last day of the festival and Romero's bull fight. His descriptions were quit detailed about killing the bulls. Hemmingway also used short sentences. At times, I was confused at the point of spending a whole chapter on bull fights.
I was surprised at the fact that Brett took off with Romero. I fell sorry for Mike because he couldn't keep a hold on the woman he was supposed to marry. He had to drink his sorrows away and changed into a person who was rowdy and obnoxious. Maybe it is a good thing that Brett is gone so the whole love thing does not get in the way anymore.
I was surprised at the fact that Brett took off with Romero. I fell sorry for Mike because he couldn't keep a hold on the woman he was supposed to marry. He had to drink his sorrows away and changed into a person who was rowdy and obnoxious. Maybe it is a good thing that Brett is gone so the whole love thing does not get in the way anymore.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Dramatic Irony
Cohn has finally cracked. It was good for him because no one really wanted him there anyway. Hemmingway added dramatic irony in this chapter when we knew where Brett was and Cohn did not. He became very made and eventually ended up punching Jake, one of his best friends, and Mike in the face.
Then he cried about it. What kind of guy punches someone in the face and then cries about it? It was a good thing that he decided to leave though. That was one of the best decisions he has made throughout the whole book. Robert was too blind by love to realize Brett was never in love with him and didn't really care about him. That was why he got so made when he found out Brett was with Pedro Romero.
Then he cried about it. What kind of guy punches someone in the face and then cries about it? It was a good thing that he decided to leave though. That was one of the best decisions he has made throughout the whole book. Robert was too blind by love to realize Brett was never in love with him and didn't really care about him. That was why he got so made when he found out Brett was with Pedro Romero.
Rhetoric
What is up with Brett and being in love? She saw Pedro Romero in the bull ring and was immediately in love with him. She knows she is hurting most of the men around her yet she still does what she wants. Brett even says it herself: "I do feel such a bitch" (pg 188). And she should. I don't think she cares for anyone around her. She may say she loves Jake but I think that is all just an act, a form of irony.
Then Brett goes and actually talks to Pedro and flirts with him. The kid is nineteen years old! And what is she...thirty-four?! That is just wrong on so many levels. She successfully uses rhetoric to get Pedro to leave with her. Jake should stay away from Brett because all she will end up doing is hurt him and add even more to his misery.
Then Brett goes and actually talks to Pedro and flirts with him. The kid is nineteen years old! And what is she...thirty-four?! That is just wrong on so many levels. She successfully uses rhetoric to get Pedro to leave with her. Jake should stay away from Brett because all she will end up doing is hurt him and add even more to his misery.
Similes and Metaphors
In chapter 16, the author used a few different similes and metaphors. I thought this variety of literary devices added positively to the novel. Instead of using regular comparisons, Hemmingway spiced up his writing by using the metaphors and similes.
On page 157, the author wrote "the cafe was like a battleship stripped for action." He used a simile to compare the cafe to a battleship instead of just saying "the cafe was really busy." Hemmingway also compared a firecracker to a bomb. He wrote "the ball of smoke hing in the sky like a shrapnel burst..." This comparison makes the writing more interesting. It also provides imagery because a reader can picture the burst of light in the sky.
Along with similes, the author also used metaphors. For example, Hemmingway compared "a guard of soldiers" (pg 159) to giants. He was able to compare two different things with out the use of like or as. The variety in his writing keeps the readers interested and enthralled in the novel.
On page 157, the author wrote "the cafe was like a battleship stripped for action." He used a simile to compare the cafe to a battleship instead of just saying "the cafe was really busy." Hemmingway also compared a firecracker to a bomb. He wrote "the ball of smoke hing in the sky like a shrapnel burst..." This comparison makes the writing more interesting. It also provides imagery because a reader can picture the burst of light in the sky.
Along with similes, the author also used metaphors. For example, Hemmingway compared "a guard of soldiers" (pg 159) to giants. He was able to compare two different things with out the use of like or as. The variety in his writing keeps the readers interested and enthralled in the novel.
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