The Sun Also Rises

The Lost Generation vs. The Outsider seeks to contrast Jake Barnes and Robert Cohn and the long lasting impressions World War I had on its soldiers.

The Lost Generation vs. The Outsider
Ernest Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises follows a group of American expatriates in France and Spain. Struggling to make sense of a life drastically altered by World War I, the group seeks comfort inalcohol, partying, and travel. The attitudes and actions these characters embrace is stereotypical of the Lost Generation. Jake Barnes, the protagonist of the novel, sharply contrasts with Robert Cohn, the only male character who did not fight in the war. Their romantic views on life, ability to control emotions, and strategies of fitting in with the group take drastically different forms.
In thepost World War I era, veterans struggled to see the world through the same light-hearted, romantic lens they used before the war. Memories of taking part in bloody battles and observing tragic deaths prevents these veterans from believing love still exists. Jake Barnes appears to be completely shut off from romanticism. His casual date with a prostitute at the beginning of the novel illustrateshis careless attitude towards relationships. Throughout the evening they share together, their conversations are shallow and meaningless. Neither of the characters appears to be invested in the moment and Barnes leaves without saying goodbye. Despite his passive attitude towards most women in the book, Barnes has strong feelings towards the leading female character, Lady Brett Ashley. A war woundunfortunately prohibits them from ever entering a real relationship; therefore, Barnes masks his feelings by hiding behind a stern face. Occasionally at night and induced by alcohol, Barnes’ true feelings towards Ashley spill out. However, as a masculine character, Barnes never discusses them openly during the day. While in Pamplona, Barnes hides the pain he feels from Ashley’s relationship withMike Campbell and Pedro Romero by refusing to communicate with her. “No,” ”well,” and “yes” are the only responses Ashley receives after she explains her true feelings about the men in her life. Despite having feelings for Ashley himself, he ignores his personal desires and thinks rationally. Ashley has made it clear that his inability to have a sexual relationship (caused by his war wound) preventsthem from being together. He appears to accept this rather than show how much it upsets him.
Robert Cohn, an aristocratic Jew from New York who did not fight in the war, continues to live his life with traditional morals. Cohn’s idealistic approach towards women begins in his failed marriage to a woman he met in college. Despite their poor relationship, he refuses to leave her claiming: “itwould be too cruel to deprive her of himself” (Hemingway 4). His wife however, felt differently and divorced him shortly after their wedding day. Cohn continues to feel a romantic obligation to the women he meets despite his failed marriage. Frances Clyne, Cohn’s girlfriend at the beginning of the book, illustrates his superficial commitment to women by remaining in a relationship without havingtrue feelings for her. As she ages, Clyne aggressively pressures Cohn to marry her but he refuses to propose. In addition to exhibiting traditional morals, a strong belief in romanticism also leads to Cohn’s disillusionment: “He was so sure that Brett loved him. He was going to stay, and true love would conquer all” (203). Ashley clearly does not have romantic feelings towards Cohn but he refusesto accept this despite her attempts to prove otherwise.
Cohn’s ideals of romanticism go deeper than love; his entire outlook on life differs from the veterans. Jake Barnes has experienced misfortune and suffers from a battle wound leaving him sexually impotent. Rather than complaining about it, he uses it to his advantage. Barnes has seen how awful the war can be and takes his battlefield...