Sincerity in Hemmingway's The Sun Also Rises
One of the most significant scenes in The Sun Also Rises is when Jake and Bill go fishing in the Spanish town of Burguete. This trip, unlike most of the novel’s settings, leaves Jake feeling rejuvenated and at peace. Hemingway emphasizes that Jake finds solace in nature, and the fishing trip with Bill offers a rare, calm escape from his usual worries and cynicism. The water especially seems to act as a kind of ritual purification, washing away some of Jake’s bitterness and emotional exhaustion.
The river, in its steady, quiet flow, symbolizes a cleansing force that allows Jake to focus on the beauty of the surroundings rather than his typical preoccupation with Brett. Here, he doesn’t feel haunted by his love, and for a moment, he is simply able to live in the present. However, this is more clearly reflected in Jake’s swim in San Sebastián, saying “The water was buoyant and cold. It felt as though you could never sink.” (p. 83)
The peace and clarity Jake finds in nature also give him the comfort to open up emotionally. For one of the few times in the novel, he shares his feelings with Bill, hinting at his love for Brett. This vulnerability highlights the strength of his friendship with Bill, who provides him with support and humor rather than judgment. Their exchanges aren’t just filled with sarcasm and banter; there are snapshots of sincere, platonic affection, providing Jake a rare sense of being understood without pretense.
One of the most telling details about the trip’s effect on Jake is that he finally sleeps well those nights—a contrast to his usual restlessness. Hemingway writes, simply, “It felt good to be warm and in bed” (p. 42). This untroubled sleep reflects the mental clarity and physical ease Jake feels here, outside the city and with a true friend. Free from thoughts of Brett and the insecurities his injury brings, Jake experiences a genuine, if brief, contentment. It’s as though time has stopped, giving him a rare glimpse of peace and a reminder of life’s simplicity, untouched by heartbreak or cynicism.
I find it facinating that Bill can be the sole other member of a calming fishing trip. Primarilly because he is also the character who uses the N word. 14 times. On one page.
ReplyDeleteI agree, this whole fishing experience offers Jake an almost spiritual cleansing away from his hectic and busy life in Paris. In this scene he also never even thinks about Brett, feeling a sense of calm being away from all his friends. In addition, his mood is re-enforced by how descriptive he is. Overall great analysis.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the role nature plays in changing Jake's attitude. This change is reflected in the way he describes himself, his surroundings, his thoughts, and the nature of the dialogue between him and Bill. The change of setting has a profound impact on Jake, revealing more about the dynamics and intricate aspects of the novel.
ReplyDeleteI agree, the serene natural setting allows him to disconnect, not only from Brett but from all the complexities of his social circle, which is beautifully mirrored in his calmer, more introspective descriptions and dialogue with Bill.
ReplyDeleteThe sense of peace and contentment found while swimming or fishing in the stream is indeed an interesting connection to make--and I'm sure someone somewhere has assembled a thesis where this sense of "purification" from immersion in water is compared to baptism in the Christian tradition. There is an immediacy to the effects of being in the water in both scenes--it demands his attention, and the prose reflects a nuanced account of the movements and appearance and feeling of the water. And in none of these passages is Jake thinking about other things, or worrying about Brett--I note this most strikingly in San Sebastian, where he swims out to the diving platform and just casually notes that a young couple are sunning themselves when he gets there. We could imagine that solitary, heartbroken Jake would have some reaction to seeing these young lovers enjoying themselves at the seaside, but he never does more than note their presence as he dives into the water, completely enjoying himself and indifferent to them.
ReplyDeleteHaving just recently come from our discussion of Meursault in part 1 of _The Stranger,_ I'm reminded of how both Hemingway and Camus write so nicely and in such detail about swimming--I'm not sure what exactly to make of it, but both of these stoical and taciturn narrators really loosen up when they're in the water.
Great post Noor! I like how you truly broke down Jake's fishing trip and its relaxing effects on his mind. Jake had always been unhappy and tense since Brett and her affairs were always on his mind. Burguete allows Jake to truly relax and get away from his doomed romance and Brett's psychological influence.
ReplyDeleteI really like how you broke down the fishing trip! I think we all experience these moments here and there, those moments of quiet relaxation. The "It felt good to be warm and in bed" is so simple but so effective and powerful as it shows Jake's relaxed state. Awesome read!
ReplyDeleteI think that this is a very big part of The Sun Also Rises. The sincerity in Spain, and the rejuvenating qualities of his visit contrast busy and smoky Paris. Along with the setting contrasts though, I also think that it contrasts from Hemingway's writing style. He writes at the surface level - "a hard boiled egg in the daytime" - and required external inferences. This style, to me, does not seem sincere and holds a wall up between the reader and Jake. I think that the parallel of Paris and Spain, or of sincerity to surface level, show itself in different forms. And what better way to see these contrasts than through the sleeping patterns! Great post!!
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