The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway
The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway
In the novel The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway, a reader is forced to decide weather the spite that the Jake has for Chon originates from Jakeâ„–s racist background, or his deeply seeded jealousy of Chon for having a brief affair with Brett. Even though it is clear that Jake has racist views, the hatred he has for his former friend Chon Chon is strictly based on the jealousy he feels towards Chon for the weekend he spent with Brett.
Jake goes in to great detail about Chon№s early life. He speaks highly and admiringly of Chon, but in a condescending way. A reader get her first hint on page one that Jake has some racist feelings toward Chon. He speaks of how Chons nose was flattened in a boxing match and concluded the sentence with іand it certainly improved his noseІ (11). This can be taken as a reference to the stereotypical іJewІ nose that is often associated with Jewish people. Jake and Chon are close friends, and Jake likes him up to the point where he becomes involved with Brett. Jake goes on and on about all of the relationship mistakes in Chon№s life. There is an hint of jealousy that appears in Jakes tone. He states that women began to become attracted to Chon as he got older, and that it іchanged him so that he was not so pleasant to have aroundІ (16). There is racism in Jake№s tone, but Jake№s problem with Chon is is strictly one of jealousy.
By this time Jake has already developed an extreme distaste for Chonâ„–s endeavors with women, but these feelings their peak when Chon and Lady Brett have a brief affair. Jake, having unconditional love for Brett, blames the entire incident on Chon. In turn, Chon makes as point to rub it in Jakeâ„–s face. Jake says Ń–…it was giving him pleasure to be able to talk with the understanding that I knew there was something between themІ (106). Jake has a great deal of trouble dealing with this. It has nothing to do with the fact that Chon is Jewish, Jake is merely jealous of him. It would not be manly for Jake to openly admit his jealousy, and blame the