A major theme of the Sun Also Rises is the constant reference of bulls and steers. These terms are used as a symbol of Jake and his group of friends. Throughout the novel, we see different references to the intertwining relationships of the group, and each persons character. We also see occasions of the group appearing to take charge of their current situations, and others where they simply take it.
To understand the use of bulls and steers, really we need to analyse what those two terms mean. Firstly, a bull is a creature of immense hello James i guess you didn't see this power, that is well known for its ability for causing carnage. An example of this is the famous idiom, "A bull in a china shop". Bulls are also known for being symbols of strength and being representative of mental strength. On the other hand, a steer is a bull that has been castrated, to prevent him from becoming aggressive, and to make him easily controllable.
In another essay that we read by Hemingway about bullfighting, it is shown that bulls and steers have very different personalities. The bulls are shown as being very aggressive towards the steers, and being very domineering over them as well. The steers are shown as taking the pain and damage, and letting the bulls treat them awfully. However, when the bulls and steers are together in a group, they are shown as pacifying the bulls.
From these examples, we can begin to see what some examples of bulls and steers are in the novel. If you look at Jake, he is constantly shown as being trampled over by the other members of his group. He is shown as not really caring what happens to him, which is a typical feature of the literal animal of a steer. His war wound also is a parallel to the castration of the steer.
An example of a bull in the novel is Mike. Mike is very aggressive, and prides himself on his masculinity and his power. He is constantly shown as being the leader or one of the co-leaders of the group. He is rather the epitome of a powerful man, although he is shown as having a weak personality, something that we grow to also expect from the ultra-masculine through the novel.
On the other hand, the bulls and steers can also be seen to show sexuality. That is why Cohn and Jake are shown as the major steers of the novel. Jake is castrated, which limits him sexually, and Cohn lets women dominate him, and allows them to get the better of him, which is something that Hemingway wouldn't have agreed with. One example of a bull is Brett, who is very dominant of the group, as she controls both Jake and Cohn, making them follow her around like pariahs.
To understand the use of bulls and steers, really we need to analyse what those two terms mean. Firstly, a bull is a creature of immense hello James i guess you didn't see this power, that is well known for its ability for causing carnage. An example of this is the famous idiom, "A bull in a china shop". Bulls are also known for being symbols of strength and being representative of mental strength. On the other hand, a steer is a bull that has been castrated, to prevent him from becoming aggressive, and to make him easily controllable.
In another essay that we read by Hemingway about bullfighting, it is shown that bulls and steers have very different personalities. The bulls are shown as being very aggressive towards the steers, and being very domineering over them as well. The steers are shown as taking the pain and damage, and letting the bulls treat them awfully. However, when the bulls and steers are together in a group, they are shown as pacifying the bulls.
From these examples, we can begin to see what some examples of bulls and steers are in the novel. If you look at Jake, he is constantly shown as being trampled over by the other members of his group. He is shown as not really caring what happens to him, which is a typical feature of the literal animal of a steer. His war wound also is a parallel to the castration of the steer.
An example of a bull in the novel is Mike. Mike is very aggressive, and prides himself on his masculinity and his power. He is constantly shown as being the leader or one of the co-leaders of the group. He is rather the epitome of a powerful man, although he is shown as having a weak personality, something that we grow to also expect from the ultra-masculine through the novel.
On the other hand, the bulls and steers can also be seen to show sexuality. That is why Cohn and Jake are shown as the major steers of the novel. Jake is castrated, which limits him sexually, and Cohn lets women dominate him, and allows them to get the better of him, which is something that Hemingway wouldn't have agreed with. One example of a bull is Brett, who is very dominant of the group, as she controls both Jake and Cohn, making them follow her around like pariahs.
No comments:
Post a Comment