Interesting passage from The Sun Also Rises

While reading Chapter 15 of the Sun Also Rises, I noticed an interesting item, there was a passage where a festival celebrating foreigners was very prominent. Jake's journalistic experience helps him to spot things that most people would pass of as not needed, or that would be passed over by a casual observer. On pages 158, and 159, we see a festival were workmen and women dressed in red celebrate the coming of foreigners to the town. At first, this seems rather innocent, but upon further analysis is a lot more political. 

Since 1923 up until 1978, Spain was a fascist country, and as such, was very anti-Communist. This passage is majorly led by Communist party members, who want to bring about change in their society, and are using the presence of foreigners in their town to help support that cause. This is evident from the line, 'Hooray for Wine! Hooray for the Foreigners!'. One important tenant of Fascism is nationalism, which means keeping the country to its natives. The Communist members of the festival are celebrating having foreigners around, as it means that the Fascist party is being defeated, even if on a small level. Bill and Jake are confused at first about who the foreigners, but soon realise that they ARE the foreigners that are being celebrated. This prompts them to go and find Brett and Mike, so that they can join in on the fun.

The communism symbolism is throughout the chapter. It mentions the peasants at the beginning sitting in wine stores, going out of its way to use peasants where it could have called the townsfolk, which highlights the working class more so than is necessary for the passage. This symbolism continues onto the next page, where it mentions men dressed in workmen's clothing, and wearing large red handkerchiefs, which lends itself to Communists dress, although subtly. This allusion continues through the chapter, with reference to soldiers being ridiculed, something that rebellious people would do, if only to stir up unrest or antagonism.

This whole parade is something that I would expect Jake to pick up upon, because of his interest in politics, and especially the feelings that him and Bill hold towards certain governments. Their joy at the Communist themed party is unsurprising, considering to their love of the working class, and their hatred for the more upper-class American government. It is surprising how Brett and Mike enjoy the party, especially considering Brett's status as a lady. I believe that this highlights her stupidity, and her shallowness, as she doesn't understand that the fiesta is communist themed.