by M. Halyard

Created on: August 02, 2008   Last Updated: August 03, 2008

While many literary critics have observed that bullfighting in The Sun Also Rises is symbolic of Ernest Hemingway's seeming obsession with masculinity and machismo, I believe that subtler symbolic meaning can be gleaned from the vivid depictions of bullfighting in the novel. For example, the piercing dialogue and resulting momentary revealing glimpses of characters in the novel can be viewed as characters feinting about each other in an open arena. As the matador of dialogue, Hemingway masterfully handles his cape of words with true finesse. Viewed from this perspective, Hemingway's bullfight is a metaphor for the intricate but often choreographed relationships between men and women.

The story is told from the perspective of Jake Barnes, a somewhat disillusioned American expatriate writer with an unfortunate war injury that has rendered him impotent. Jake is in love with Brett, a rich, rather promiscuous woman. The interesting thing about Jake and Brett's relationship is that it is completely frustrating to both of them, and yet they seem unable to divorce themselves from one another.

But as much as we might want for these two aficionados of repartee to finally find love together, our hopes are gored when the real matador steps into the arena. Pedro Romero.

Romero is the very model of manhood within the novel. He is controlled, passionate, precise, and understands the art of subterfuge. For example, he pretends not to understand English, but in fact he understands most of what is said by the Americans. At Brett's request, Jake introduces her to Romero in a restaurant. She takes his hand across the table and spreads his fingers apart. She tells his fortune. Jake stands up and makes an excuse to leave them alone. "He (Romero) looked at me. It was a final look to ask if it were understood. It was understood all right." Jake leaves the two alone. Even though Jake is devastated by the affair that is exploding between Brett and Romero, his internal dialogue is only that "The hard-eyed people at the bull-fighter table watched me go. It was not pleasant."

Brett is not only insensitive about Jake's feelings, but she continues to injure him with a display of sensitivity towards her lover's feelings. Jake retreats behind a mask of indifference, as demonstrated by his dialogue. Undoubtedly, it would be healthier for him to put aside the deceptive cape and have it out with Brett, but he fears that he would lose her friendship by doing so. He actually enjoys being Brett's confidante

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>