"That was it. Send a girl off with one man. Introduce her to another to go off with him. Now go and bring her back. And sign the wire with love. That was it alright" (pg 243).
I feel like the main problem in this book was never solved. Barnes would still do anything for Brett even though she gives nothing to him in return. We never found out exactly why they couldn't be together in the first place. His impotency?? If so, she is very shallow- no surprise! I feel as though the only character who made any progress in his life was Robert Cohn. He was a fool in love, but he finally manned up and decided he had to leave. Therefore, he is a dynamic character, because he was able to change for the better. The rest of the characters stayed pretty much the same throughout the novel, making them static characters. Although they are categorized as static characters, some of them were round characters. Take for example: Jacob Barnes; we were able to see many different feelings and personality traits he possessed. I feel like this storyline is kind of jumpy, and I am still not sure what the climax is. Hopefully, when we discuss the novel in class, I will be able to get a better understanding.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Whipped!
"COULD YOU COME HOTEL MONTANA
MADRID AM RATHER IN TROUBLE
BRETT" (pg 242).
I finally thought that Barnes was becoming independent in chapter 19. He strayed from his companions and was heading to Madrid by himself. I though it would be nice for him to have some alone time. I felt that he was ready to find himself, as Siddhartha would say. But as soon as he gets a telegram from Brett, he's on his way to save her. He listens to her every beck and call. I do not know how to say this nicely, so I'm not gonna try; he's whipped. After all the pain and torture that she puts him through, he will always be there for her to rely on. Although it is somewhat romantic, it is also frustrating. In the end, it helps no one. Brett will never understand how to make it on her own, and it will always cause Barnes to regress in the progress he's made of getting over her.
BRETT" (pg 242).
I finally thought that Barnes was becoming independent in chapter 19. He strayed from his companions and was heading to Madrid by himself. I though it would be nice for him to have some alone time. I felt that he was ready to find himself, as Siddhartha would say. But as soon as he gets a telegram from Brett, he's on his way to save her. He listens to her every beck and call. I do not know how to say this nicely, so I'm not gonna try; he's whipped. After all the pain and torture that she puts him through, he will always be there for her to rely on. Although it is somewhat romantic, it is also frustrating. In the end, it helps no one. Brett will never understand how to make it on her own, and it will always cause Barnes to regress in the progress he's made of getting over her.
Bull-Fights
"Romero flicked his cape up so the color caught the bull's eye. The bull charged with the reflex, charged, and found a flash of color but a white horse, and a man leaned far over the horse, shot the steel point of the long hickory shaft into the hump of muscle on the bull's shoulder, and pulled his horse sideways as he pivoted on the pic, making a wound, enforcing the iron into the bull's shoulder, making him bleed for Belmonte" (pg 220). The description of the bull-fight is so vivid that I almost feel like I'm there. I had no previous knowledge of bull-fights, and now I feel like I would be able to follow one pretty well. I would pay great attention to the matador's actions as Barnes did. I would look to see how close the matador was to the bull to see if he really is brave or if it's just an illusion. I thought it was very interesting that a bull can be color-blind and still able to fight. I thought it was unfair that everyone was not impressed by Romero's fight against that bull, because they didn't know about it's impairment. Before if someone invited me to a bull-fight, I would most likely pass it up, but now I would be interested in going. I'm not going to book a flight to Spain anytime soon, but if I ever find myself there, I will definitely go to a bull-fight.
Flat Character
Lady Brett Ashley is a flat character. Brett can be described in about two character traits: flirty and selfish. She always has to have a lover, and one is never good enough. She can't stay with one man for too long before she gets bored. If she is attracted to someone, she makes it her goal to make them want her as well, and every man falls in love with her regardless. She puts herself before everyone else. "I've always just done what I wanted" (pg 188). She expects everyone to do as she says, and they do. Barnes: "Anything you want me to do?" Brett: "No, just go to the fight with me" (pg 211). She used to be one of my favorite characters at the beginning of the novel, but not anymore. Now, I just think she is an annoying hooker.
A Rocket To The Moon - Just Another One - Lyrics
"I'm not drunk. I'm quite serious. Is Robert Cohn going to follow Brett around like a steer all the time?" (pg 146). Michael Campbell
I have come to believe that the count and Cohn are foils. The count is always drunk, while Cohn never drinks. The count lets Brett do as she pleases without saying much, while Cohn is worried about every little move she makes. The count is always talking, while Cohn sits back and observes and doesn't say much. It seems as though whenever the count gets really drunk he says something to Cohn about Cohn's obsession with Brett. He always makes fun of Cohn and the way that he follows her around and is always willing to wait with her. The count realizes that Brett has relations with many men, but Cohn does not realize that he is "just another notch in her belt." Brett's situation with men reminds me exactly of the song "Just Another One" by A Rocket To The Moon.
I have come to believe that the count and Cohn are foils. The count is always drunk, while Cohn never drinks. The count lets Brett do as she pleases without saying much, while Cohn is worried about every little move she makes. The count is always talking, while Cohn sits back and observes and doesn't say much. It seems as though whenever the count gets really drunk he says something to Cohn about Cohn's obsession with Brett. He always makes fun of Cohn and the way that he follows her around and is always willing to wait with her. The count realizes that Brett has relations with many men, but Cohn does not realize that he is "just another notch in her belt." Brett's situation with men reminds me exactly of the song "Just Another One" by A Rocket To The Moon.
Irony
"He's such a fine boy... He ought to stay with his own people. He shouldn't mix in that stuff" (pg 176). Montoya
In chapter 15, Barnes suggests that Montoya not give the letter from the American ambassador to Pedro Romero, agreeing that it is better for him to stay clear of unnecessary drama. The irony of the matter is that Barnes later introduces Romero to Brett, fully knowing that she will corrupt him. There is no argument that Barnes did not know that, because Brett tells him that she can't help herself and has fallen in love with Romero, and then Barnes introduces the two. I don't understand why Barnes would do that after he had that discussion with Montoya. Cohn refers to Barnes as a "pimp," and although that is harsh, it has some truth behind it. Almost every man that meets Brett falls in love with her, and he introduces her to all of his friends anyway. Montoya and Barnes used to have a special relationship, and he ruined it by bringing Romero and Brett together. Who did their relationship benefit? Nobody.
In chapter 15, Barnes suggests that Montoya not give the letter from the American ambassador to Pedro Romero, agreeing that it is better for him to stay clear of unnecessary drama. The irony of the matter is that Barnes later introduces Romero to Brett, fully knowing that she will corrupt him. There is no argument that Barnes did not know that, because Brett tells him that she can't help herself and has fallen in love with Romero, and then Barnes introduces the two. I don't understand why Barnes would do that after he had that discussion with Montoya. Cohn refers to Barnes as a "pimp," and although that is harsh, it has some truth behind it. Almost every man that meets Brett falls in love with her, and he introduces her to all of his friends anyway. Montoya and Barnes used to have a special relationship, and he ruined it by bringing Romero and Brett together. Who did their relationship benefit? Nobody.
Foreshadowing
"The boy was nineteen years old, along except for his sword-handler, and the three hangers-on, and the bull-fight was to commence in twenty minutes. We wished him 'Mucha suerte,' shook hands, and went out. He was standing, straight and handsome and altogether by himself, alone in the room with the hangers-on as we shut the door" (pg 167).
I could tell, as soon as I read the description of Pedro Romero, that Brett was going to go after him. Barnes recognizes that he is handsome, and for a man to call another man handsome, you know that he truly must be attractive. Brett has done nothing in this novel, except mess with the minds of men, and I knew that she would do the same with him. As I stated before, she is a "manizer." She seduces them, makes them fall in love with her, sleeps with them, and is done with them. She acts in a way that most women do not. It seems that usually people consider women to be the one who gets attached in a relationship, but not Brett. She hooks her man, sinks him, and lets him go. I feel that its more of the chase for her. She wants him until she has him, then she is sick of him.
I could tell, as soon as I read the description of Pedro Romero, that Brett was going to go after him. Barnes recognizes that he is handsome, and for a man to call another man handsome, you know that he truly must be attractive. Brett has done nothing in this novel, except mess with the minds of men, and I knew that she would do the same with him. As I stated before, she is a "manizer." She seduces them, makes them fall in love with her, sleeps with them, and is done with them. She acts in a way that most women do not. It seems that usually people consider women to be the one who gets attached in a relationship, but not Brett. She hooks her man, sinks him, and lets him go. I feel that its more of the chase for her. She wants him until she has him, then she is sick of him.
Aficionado
"Aficion means passion. An aficionado is one who is passionate about the bull-fights" (pg 136).
Bull-fights are of great interest to Barnes and Montoya. They take great amounts of time to really understand every aspect of each bull-fight they watch, because they enjoy it. They are said to have passion about bull-fights. I believe that everyone is some sort of aficionado. Musicians are passionate about music. Artists are passionate about art. Athletes are passionate about sports. Therefore, I feel that most can relate to this aspect of the book. Not too many people I know are interested in bull-fights, but most everyone I know is passionate about something. This shows the novel's timelessness.
Motivation
"'There you go. And you claim you want to be a writer, too. You're only a newspaper man. An expatriated newspaper man. You ought to be ironical the minute you get out of bed. You ought to wake up with your mouth full of pity'" (pg 119). Bill Gorton
At one point in chapter 12, when Gorton is continuously criticizing Barnes, he is worried that he may have hurt Barnes' feelings and stops. Barnes tells him to keep going; therefore, I believe that Barnes was using Gorton's criticism as motivation to do more with his writing or to change something. Gorton consistently calls him an expatriate. I did not know what that word meant, so I looked it up.ex·pa·tri·ate
–verb (used with object)
1. to banish (a person) from his or her native country.
2. to withdraw (oneself) from residence in one's native country country. 3. to withdraw (oneself) from allegiance to one's country from allegiance to one's country.
So expatriate means someone who left their country and started a new life for one reason of another. I believe Gorton calling Barnes an expatriate was giving him reason to question himself, his life, and his writing. It gave him the chance to think of it all in a new light. It gave him the opportunity to possibly better himself. Maybe none of this is true, but that is the way that I took it.
Basques
"The Basque lying against my legs was tanned the color of saddle-leather. He wore a black smock like all the rest. There were wrinkles in his tanned neck. He turned around and offered his wine-bag to Bill. Bill handed him one of our bottles. The Basque wagged a forefinger at him and handed the bottle back, slapping in the cork with the palm of his hand. He shoved the wine-bag up. 'Arriba! Arriba!' he said. 'Lift it up'" (pg 110)
Chapter 11 warms my heart. I wish everyone in the world would act like the basques on the bus. They are gentle, kind, generous people. These days, no one is willing to give anything away cheap, let alone for free. The basques so graciously offer their wine to Barnes and Gorton, and at first the two men feel as though it's a trade off, because not many people are that benevolent. Money is a precious commodity to most, especially now, with the downfall in our economy. It's understandable why people don't just give their things away for free, but if everyone was willing to help each other out with the same attitude as these basques, we would be able to be more giving. It reminds me of the Golden Rule: "Treat others the way you would like to be treated." If everyone lived their lives by the Golden Rule, our world be a much happier place.
Chapter 11 warms my heart. I wish everyone in the world would act like the basques on the bus. They are gentle, kind, generous people. These days, no one is willing to give anything away cheap, let alone for free. The basques so graciously offer their wine to Barnes and Gorton, and at first the two men feel as though it's a trade off, because not many people are that benevolent. Money is a precious commodity to most, especially now, with the downfall in our economy. It's understandable why people don't just give their things away for free, but if everyone was willing to help each other out with the same attitude as these basques, we would be able to be more giving. It reminds me of the Golden Rule: "Treat others the way you would like to be treated." If everyone lived their lives by the Golden Rule, our world be a much happier place.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Cafeteria Catholic
"I knelt and I started to pray and prayed for everybody I though of, Brett and Mike and Bill and Robert Cohn and myself, and all the bull-fighter, separately the ones I liked, and lumping all the rest, and I prayed for myself again, and while I was praying for myself I found was getting sleepy, so I prayed the bull-fights would be good, and that it would be a fine fiesta, and that we would get some fishing" (pg 102-103).
As Barnes arrives in Spain in chapter 10, he decides to visit a cathedral by himself and pray. While praying he catches himself getting off track and thinking of topic after topic. I hate to admit it, but I have caught myself doing this more than once. He has mentioned his Catholicism a few times throughout the novel, but never actually goes to Mass or reads a scripture passage. Many people call themselves Catholics, but pick and choose what they are actually going to do in their faith. My 7th grade teacher, Mrs. Williams, told us that people that do that are classified as "cafeteria Catholics," and I believe that title fits Barnes perfectly. The first time he actually sits down and prays, he can't even focus on God for a few minutes. As he describes who he prays for, he prays for his companions, but then selfishly goes back to himself. It is hard to say that we don't do that, because most people do. I try to focus on others when I pray, but I always mention one thing about myself at least. On occasion, I feel like I'm only praying for is myself, even if I mention other people in my prayer, somehow it eventually leads to my personal satisfaction. Although I am criticizing Barnes, I feel that many people, including myself, fall into that category at one time or another.
Pun
"You might take up social service" (pg 89). Jacob Barnes
In chapter 9, when Brett is telling Barnes that she went to San Sebastian with Cohn, noting that she thought it would be good for him, Barnes gets jealous and sarcastically suggests that she "might take up social service." I find his pun quite humorous. First of all, Brett agitates me in the way she treats men. It reminds me of Brittney Spears' song "Womanizer," but she would be a "manizer." She is an attractive young lady and she takes full advantage of that fact. She uses men for her own selfish wants. She uses Barnes for actual feelings, the count for his money, and Cohn for his body? I believe that she is confused at this time and is just trying to figure out what she needs in her life, but in the meanwhile, she is making herself look like an imbecile. Second of all, I like to retaliate when people anger me as well, so I can relate. If I had to be categorized as a type of fighter, it would probably be a verbal fighter. I hate when people attack me verbally, but I love when I have just the right thing to stump them. I know it's hypocritical, but it's true.
In chapter 9, when Brett is telling Barnes that she went to San Sebastian with Cohn, noting that she thought it would be good for him, Barnes gets jealous and sarcastically suggests that she "might take up social service." I find his pun quite humorous. First of all, Brett agitates me in the way she treats men. It reminds me of Brittney Spears' song "Womanizer," but she would be a "manizer." She is an attractive young lady and she takes full advantage of that fact. She uses men for her own selfish wants. She uses Barnes for actual feelings, the count for his money, and Cohn for his body? I believe that she is confused at this time and is just trying to figure out what she needs in her life, but in the meanwhile, she is making herself look like an imbecile. Second of all, I like to retaliate when people anger me as well, so I can relate. If I had to be categorized as a type of fighter, it would probably be a verbal fighter. I hate when people attack me verbally, but I love when I have just the right thing to stump them. I know it's hypocritical, but it's true.
Alcohol
"Tight, Jake. I was tight." Gorton"That's strange. Better have a drink." Barnes
"Remarkable thing. Don't know how it happened. Suddenly it happened." Gorton
"Last long?" Barnes
"Four days, Jake. Lasted four days." Gorton
(pg 76)
I have noticed that most of the characters in this novel drink at most times and hardly pay any attention to that fact. It seems as though being drunk is just as normal as being sober to them. I find it odd. I feel that adults should have the opportunity to drink when they want, but should not take advantage of that privilege. In chapter 8, Bill Gorton, for example, speaks of being "tight" for four days while traveling in Vienna; I've come to understand that term as under the influence of some sort. The way that he remembers things that happened during that duration is by drinking, so that leads me to believe that he was drunk then too. I'm not sure if it was only in Paris that this sort of tolerance was so apparent, or in all of Europe, or in every place that could afford it. It just comes shocking to me, because this time in age, being intoxicated most of the time comes off as highly inappropriate and foolish.
Motif
"Oh, Brett, I love you so much." Barnes
"Darling. Do you want me to send him away?" Brett
"No. He's nice." Barnes
"I'll send him away." Brett
(pg. 61)
"Darling. Do you want me to send him away?" Brett
"No. He's nice." Barnes
"I'll send him away." Brett
(pg. 61)
Continuously throughout the novel, Brett and Barnes struggle through their love for each other and the decision they have made to not be together. I'm not sure if this actually qualifies as a motif, but it seems to follow the guidelines for the most part: it is a recurring situation. In chapter 7, Brett coming to Barnes' apartment with the count and asking the count to leave and get some champagne shows her utter disregard for the count and obvious desire to spend time with Barnes. Saying 'I love you' is a big deal to me; therefore, I do not comprehend how they can just tell each other they love each other and not do anything about it. Why is Barnes comfortable with having Brett's future husband in his home, sitting with him at his kitchen table? Although this situation keeps occurring, I have not begun to fathom what happened or what is preventing the two of them from being happy together. I do not like the fact that Brett apparently uses the count, and he just puts up with it and gives her everything her little heart desires. The whole marriage system at the time angers me, because I believe marriage should be based on love, and in no way based upon merit or status.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Stereotype
"What's the matter, Frances?" Barnes
"Oh, nothing, except that he wants to leave me." Frances
"How do you mean?" Barnes
"Oh, he told everyone that we were going to be married, and I told my mother and every one, and now he doesn't want to do it." Frances
(pg 53).
"Oh, nothing, except that he wants to leave me." Frances
"How do you mean?" Barnes
"Oh, he told everyone that we were going to be married, and I told my mother and every one, and now he doesn't want to do it." Frances
(pg 53).
Previously in the novel, Frances Clyne is stereotyped as a status seeker. By chapter 6 she is determined to marry Cohn, who now refuses to marry her as he had promised in the past. Frances taking Barnes across the street to talk to him about Cohn seems pointless to me. Barnes does not seem like the type to get involved in other people's business. Her rant at dinner accusing Cohn of leaving for other women and whatnot, although it may be true, was childish unnecessary in front of Barnes. I think how she was "bright" and smiling throughout her tirade was somewhat sinister and creepy, for lack of a better word. People making accusations really frustrates me. I wonder if this anger is built up so high, because she wants his high status or because she is really in love with him now. Barnes described Cohn looking at no other women besides Frances at the beginning of their relationship. Now he refuses to settle down with her. It's crazy how the tables turn.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Setting
The beginning of chapter 5 gives examples of the setting in Paris. Barnes speaks of different types of transportation, such as "the Boulevard busy with trams and people" and "an S bus... [riding] down to the Madeleine" (pg 43).
He tells of the nature: "the horse-chestnut trees in the Luxembourg gardens" (pg 43).
He informs us of the people's early morning activites, for example "the flower women... coming up from the market and arranging their daily stock," "the man... urging two tourists to buy," and "the man with the jumping frogs and the man with the boxer toy" (pg 43).
He tells us where they are going, "students... going up to law school, or down to the Sorbonne," "walk[ing] along the Boulevard des Capucines to the Opera," and "walk[ing] down the Boulevard to the Rue Soufflot for coffee and brioche" (pg 43).
All of these things opened my eyes to the life of Paris. There are some things that are very different than where I live, such as the transportation. Some are similar, such as some of the activities of the people that live there.Suspense
"It's funny... It's very funny. And it's a lot of fun, too, to be in love." Barnes
"Do you think so?" Brett
"I don't mean fun in that way. In a way it's an enjoyable feeling." Barnes
"No... I think it's hell on earth." Brett
(pg 35)
Every encounter between Brett and Jake leaves me wanting more. I am curious about their past. The way they tell each other they love each other, yet refuse to be together leads me to wonder what happened. I have never been in love, but I know what it is like to have strong feelings towards someone and for that person to have strong feelings towards you, but knowing that there is no way that it can work out between the two of you. It's awful. The time spent between the two is bitter sweet. They love the company of one another, but there is something preventing their relationship from working. Jake staying up half the night thinking about them, eventually crying himself to sleep causes me to speculate the troubles that led them to this point. I want to know why she is so comfortable talking to him about the count, Michael, her future fiance. Thus far, their relationship is the most interesting part of the novel to me.
"Do you think so?" Brett
"I don't mean fun in that way. In a way it's an enjoyable feeling." Barnes
"No... I think it's hell on earth." Brett
(pg 35)
Every encounter between Brett and Jake leaves me wanting more. I am curious about their past. The way they tell each other they love each other, yet refuse to be together leads me to wonder what happened. I have never been in love, but I know what it is like to have strong feelings towards someone and for that person to have strong feelings towards you, but knowing that there is no way that it can work out between the two of you. It's awful. The time spent between the two is bitter sweet. They love the company of one another, but there is something preventing their relationship from working. Jake staying up half the night thinking about them, eventually crying himself to sleep causes me to speculate the troubles that led them to this point. I want to know why she is so comfortable talking to him about the count, Michael, her future fiance. Thus far, their relationship is the most interesting part of the novel to me.
Georgette
"I wish to present my fiancee, Mademoiselle Georgette Leblanc" (pg 26). Barnes
The way that Barnes picks up Georgette at the Napolitain and later that night introduces her to his friends as his fiance confuses me. I do not understand why when she tries to kiss him he denies her, then pretends to act so fondly of her towards his friends. On page 24, he says that he picked her up because of "a vague sentimental idea that it would be nice to eat with someone," which is fine. The part that muddles me is how he brings her with him to meet his friends, then lets her dance with other guys and departs with Brett, leaving Georgette with a fifty-franc note. It's not that I feel bad for her, because I don't really. I just don't understand why he would call her his fiance. Maybe that meant something different at the time, or in Paris; I am not sure. It does not make me think less of Barnes, just makes me wonder about the type of man he is.
The way that Barnes picks up Georgette at the Napolitain and later that night introduces her to his friends as his fiance confuses me. I do not understand why when she tries to kiss him he denies her, then pretends to act so fondly of her towards his friends. On page 24, he says that he picked her up because of "a vague sentimental idea that it would be nice to eat with someone," which is fine. The part that muddles me is how he brings her with him to meet his friends, then lets her dance with other guys and departs with Brett, leaving Georgette with a fifty-franc note. It's not that I feel bad for her, because I don't really. I just don't understand why he would call her his fiance. Maybe that meant something different at the time, or in Paris; I am not sure. It does not make me think less of Barnes, just makes me wonder about the type of man he is.
Stubbornness
"Did you ever think about going to British East Indies?" Barnes
"No, I wouldn't like that." Cohn
"I'd go there with you." Barnes
"No; that doesn't interest me." Cohn
"That's because you never read a book about it. Go on and read a book full of love affairs with the beautiful shiny black princesses." Barnes
"I want to go to South America." Cohn
(pg 18)
In chapter 2, Cohn asks Barnes to accompany him to South America, and when Barnes tries to convince him to go elsewhere he won't. This is the first time in the book that we are able to see a stubborn side of Cohn. It seems as though he may be going through a midlife crisis. Although I cannot relate in that way, I feel as though I can identify to his stubbornness in a way. When I set my mind to something, I will not change it if it is important to me. In many aspects of life I am willing to compromise, but when it comes to something that I feel strongly about, there is hardly any way to convince me otherwise. Cohn feels strongly about going to South America, and Barnes is unable to change his mind.
"No, I wouldn't like that." Cohn
"I'd go there with you." Barnes
"No; that doesn't interest me." Cohn
"That's because you never read a book about it. Go on and read a book full of love affairs with the beautiful shiny black princesses." Barnes
"I want to go to South America." Cohn
(pg 18)
In chapter 2, Cohn asks Barnes to accompany him to South America, and when Barnes tries to convince him to go elsewhere he won't. This is the first time in the book that we are able to see a stubborn side of Cohn. It seems as though he may be going through a midlife crisis. Although I cannot relate in that way, I feel as though I can identify to his stubbornness in a way. When I set my mind to something, I will not change it if it is important to me. In many aspects of life I am willing to compromise, but when it comes to something that I feel strongly about, there is hardly any way to convince me otherwise. Cohn feels strongly about going to South America, and Barnes is unable to change his mind.
Point of View
At the very beginning of the novel, I thought that it was written in third person and was going to focus on the character, Robert Cohn. As I continued reading the next couple of pages, I realized that there is a first person narrator. On page 13, I was informed that the narrator is one of Cohn's two friends: his tennis friend.
"Robert Cohn had two friends, Braddocks and mysled. Braddocks was his leterary friend. I was his tennis friend" (pg 13).It wasn't until page 25 that his full name, Jacob Barnes, was announced. Barnes does not speak directly of his own life much, yet reveals details of his life while talking and interacting with other characters about their lives. He was an American World War I veteran. So far I have come to understand that he had some sort of relationship with Lady Ashley, a.k.a. Brett, which has caused him emotional trauma. I'm not sure what happened to them as of now, but this romantic aspect sparks my interest.
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