"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.
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