Summary of the work - Sykalo Eugen 2023

Short summary - The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway

"The Sun Also Rises" is a remarkable novel by Ernest Hemingway, which explores the themes of disillusionment, love, and the meaning of life. The book is set in the post-World War I era, and it follows the journey of a group of disillusioned expatriates living in Paris, who decide to travel to Pamplona, Spain, to watch the running of the bulls and participate in the bullfights.

The story is narrated in a precise and understated prose style that is characteristic of Hemingway's work. The novel's structure is episodic, with each chapter functioning almost as a self-contained story. Hemingway uses this structure to explore the inner lives of his characters and reveal the complexities of their relationships with one another.

The novel's protagonist, Jake Barnes, is a journalist who was injured during the war and is now impotent. It is revealed that Jake is in love with Lady Brett Ashley, a beautiful and independent woman who is also in love with him. However, their relationship is complicated by Jake's injury, which makes it impossible for them to have a physical relationship.

Jake and Brett are joined in Paris by a group of expatriates, including Robert Cohn, a writer who is in love with Brett, and Mike Campbell, Brett's current lover. The group decides to travel to Pamplona to watch the running of the bulls and participate in the bullfights.

In Pamplona, tensions rise between the group members as they are forced to confront their own insecurities and desires. Cohn becomes jealous of Jake and Brett's relationship and starts a fight with Jake. Mike becomes increasingly drunk and belligerent, and tensions between him and Brett reach a breaking point.

The climax of the novel occurs during the bullfights, where the characters are forced to confront the reality of life and death. Jake is injured during one of the bullfights, and the experience leads him to a deeper understanding of himself and his relationship with Brett.

Throughout the novel, Hemingway explores the effects of the war on the human psyche and how it has left the characters feeling lost and disillusioned. The novel also touches upon the themes of masculinity and femininity, with Jake's injury causing a shift in the power dynamic between him and Brett.

The novel ends with the characters returning to Paris, where they are left to contemplate the meaning of their experiences in Pamplona. Hemingway leaves the reader with a sense of ambiguity, suggesting that the characters' search for meaning may be never-ending.

Overall, "The Sun Also Rises" is a powerful exploration of the human condition. Hemingway's precise prose style and episodic structure allow him to delve deeply into the inner lives of his characters, revealing the complexities of their relationships and the struggles they face in a post-war world. The novel's themes of love, disillusionment, and the search for meaning make it a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers today.

In conclusion, "The Sun Also Rises" is a must-read book that explores the complexities of human relationships and the search for meaning in life. It is a novel that captures the essence of the post-World War I era and the feelings of disillusionment and loss that were prevalent during that time. The book is a masterful work of literature that will leave you contemplating the meaning of life long after you have finished reading it.