I found the end to The Sun Also Rises very frustrating. After reading some 250 pages, it would have been nice to actually get somewhere. But no. Jake and Brett have come full circle in their relationship. Actually, it is amazing that they managed to succeed in even that, considering the dynamical path that each Brett and Jake follow. Throughout the novel, it seemed to me like they were always on the edge of falling into a passionate relationship. And, over and over again, they were thwarted. I think that the underlying cause for their separation is not the impossibility of a physical connection, but more edging towards Jake's insecurity about his injury. He says himself that he doesn't think he would be able to please her (it's like he needs to know he's making her happy to be happy himself), and both agree that a relationship would not be possible; they've tried, it failed. They are continually thrown together, though, and rely on each other for emotional support which they are unable to do with any other character (this is about Brett especially, because there is one point where Jake is able to tell Bill about his feelings for Brett). The deep friendship that they have is closer to the emotional relationship of people in love than mere friends, but they are always tottering on the edge.They need to walk away. Neither is ready to commit, and the half-hearted relationship they have now is only hurting them both. Jake is constantly on the edge of his seat, ready to go and rescue "his lady love" (as he scoffingly and hypocritically accuses Cohn of doing--hmm...I spot some personal reflection issues...). He gives up his peaceful vacation at a telegram from Brett, sounding like an emergency but really she could have been happy in that situation for at least another week. Nor fair to him. She, meanwhile, is off having this and that affair with various men, all the while being married, engaged, and in love (each with different men). She feels the need to compensate for his lack of physical commitment and her need to be loved and told that she is beautiful. Not fair to either of them. I just wanted to shake Brett and tell her to wake up and smell the bourbon (not that she doesn't already). She knows shes beautiful, because she is told so often, and she knows that she has a man in her reach that loves her. If she doesn't think it'll ever work between them, she needs to let go of Jake for his sake.
Continuing on off of the vastly ranging opinions we got in class today, I think I fall somewhere in the middle. I certainly don't consider the ending of this novel an "aww" moment, because they never got anywhere in terms of deciding whether to be with each other or not. I also do not hate Brett and Jake as some others do. I think that Brett is generally fun to have around and she would liven up a party, but I do not respect her at all. I think that Brett must have been an only child, because Brett is pretty much all about Brett. She lives in her own little world, as "fun" people often do, and situates her actions to best fit her needs. For example, when she calls upon Jake to come and save her she never even gives him a "thank you" or acknowledges that it might have been an imposition for him. She expects him to come and would have been put out if he hadn't. This makes me mad at her on his behalf, and also because I know a few people like this who are fun to be around sometimes except when they feel that they are in need, and expect you to be there no matter what. It just makes me mad. Especially when they get humored. Jake, however, stand-up guy that he is, (ironically because he never stands up himself,) I don't respect either. Like her nefarious behavior he too makes actions that hurt them both. She needs to learn that he can't always come, particularly if they are not involved with one another, and he should realize that it's not good for either of them.
Now I just feel like a big nag repeating myself over and over again, but it's not like they got the message at the end of the novel anyway. Frustrating.
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