Everything's Replaceable (Except a Relationship with Brett)
I did not consider the significance of the second epigraph by Ecclesiastes until reflecting on Jake’s view of life and love for Brett. The start of the epigraph reads, “One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh; but the earth abideth forever” (Ecclesiastes). This statement suggests that life goes on even after great loss and that everything is replaceable, as even a full generation will eventually be replaced by a new one. Hemingway incorporates this ideology into Jake’s perspective of life. Jake doesn’t take many aspects of his life seriously. He takes risks by drinking often and pursuing spontaneous traveling adventures with his friends. He knows that life will go on even after taking risks while struggling with his career. However, he does not acknowledge that life will also go on if he does not end up with Brett until the last scene. Their relationship is the one aspect of his life he takes seriously and cannot imagine existing without. The incorporation of Ecclesiastes’ perspective of life emphasizes Jake’s feelings towards Brett.
Jake moving to Paris amidst his struggling writing career signifies his flexible way of living. Much of his day consists of hopping from cafés to bars with his friends. He does not worry about the success of his writing, accepting of the idea that life will go on even if he spends days drinking in Paris. However, his mysterious relationship with Brett is something that Jake takes rather seriously despite his flexibility in everyday life. When they ride in the cab together, Jake notes, “She was looking into my eyes with that way she had of looking that made you wonder whether she really saw out of her eyes… She looked as though there were nothing on earth she would not look at like that, and really she was afraid of so many things” (Hemmingway 34). Brett is the only person in Jake’s life he thinks this deeply about. His observation that Brett is scared of more than she shows is a meaningful thought of Jake’s, as he never seems to think as deeply about his life or other friends. The thoughtful reflections Jake makes alone with Brett signifies their connection and his love for her. Their connection is something that Jake viewed as irreplaceable. He would not imagine life going on without her in it.
While Jake cannot imagine a life without Brett throughout the novel, the last scene signifies that he may have accepted his life moving forth without a romantic relationship with her. When the two are in a cab alone again in the culminating scene, Brett says “Oh Jake, we could have had such a damned good time together.” Jake replies with, “Yes, isn’t it pretty to think so?” (Hemmingway 251). This exchange signifies Jake’s acknowledgement that while a relationship with Brett would have been beautiful, they can only dream about it. His response shows understanding that both of their lives will continue even if they do not end up together. He may not accept that their connection is replaceable, but he realizes that he can move on without a fairy tale ending with her. The final scene is my favorite, as it showcases the growth in Jake’s mindset and adaptation of the ideas in Ecclesiastes' epigraph.
It's interesting how the two quotes at the beginning of the book set up the tone of the novel. The one from Ecclesiastes shows how the main characters usually think about life in a pessimistic way. By the end of the book, these ideas are reinforced as the characters still have an ironic view of the world.
ReplyDeleteI really like your post and topic! I think your right about his way of life and how he kind of does whatever but when it comes to Brett he is focused on a relationship with her. He takes that very seriously and we can see undertones in his life where he is jealous of other men having Brett. I never really connected the second epigraph to the ending but I can see now how he grows at the end to acceptance of the situation. I think the ending shows a mindset shift for Jake, that won't get him constantly distracted by thinking about Brett. Great Post!
ReplyDeleteThe one major exception I would cite to the claim that Jake doesn't take anything in his life seriously is *bullfighting*. Jake's rare status as an American who is respected as an "aficionado" by Montoya and other elites in the culture is VERY important to him, and this "passionate knowledge" about the long traditions associated with this culture, his ability to distinguish a "real one" like Romero from a "decadent" or artificial matador, is incompatible with the ironic attitude he deploys so often in Paris. He takes all of this matador stuff VERY seriously, which is why it's so remarkable when he's willing to sacrifice it all by "ruining" Romero and introducing him to Brett. Every time Montoya fails to nod or bow to Jake after this point, he notices, and it hurts.
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