Color Symbolism in the Sun Also Rises (As seen through Brett and Jake)

Color Symbolism is a prominent, underlying literary device that Hemingway uses in order to convey specific characteristics regarding the time period. For example, The wine that is drank by the protagonists is primarily red. This is similar to the color of the sun as it rises. In this blog, we will be exploring the implications of this similarity.

Throughout literature, red is used to depict lust. I believe in this novel, the color red is supposed express the lust that each of the main character has. For example, Brett yearns for sexual relations. This fact resonates throughout the entire novel, which is seen when she explains why she cannot be with Jake. Additionally, she falls for Romero, who is a bull-fighter. Since bullfighters usually perform with a red cape, this could be seen as Romero is a master of controlling "lust". This is why Romero gets Brett to fall in love with him.
Additionally, Jake also has a strong connection to Bullfighting, specifically bullfighters themselves. He is even called an aficionado at some point in the novel. I believe that this connection with bullfighting also relates to lust. Towards the end of the book, Jake sort of "loses" his aficionado status. I believe this symbolism relates to his inability to follow his lustful desires. Due to his injury, he cannot pursue sexual relations with others, namely Brett.
Do you guys agree with this analysis? Why do you guys think that the title of this book is, "The Sun Also Rises"? Let me know!

Jake's relationship with Brett (The Sun Also Rises)

In this blogpost, I would like to discuss the relationship between Jake Barns and Lady Ashley. In many ways, their relationship symbolizes a perfect relationship that could never happen. What is stopping their relationship from prospering?
In the text, Brett says that she could never have a proper relationship with Jake. This is due to Jake's injury that renders him unable to have sex. This is a deal-breaker to Brett, because she seems to need to fulfill her sexual desire. This is highlighted in the text when Brett stands Jake up so she can continue flirting with Count Mippipopolous. The reason she does this is because she knows Jake will never be able to fulfill her desires. This also brings up the question, "Why does Brett still continue this romantic relationship with Jake (e.g kissing)?
I believe this is because she finds comfort in Jake. They have clearly known each other for a long time and know each other well. Therefore, she can tell Jake all her problems and Jake will be there for her. In return, Jake gets small snippets of what their relationship COULD have been. If you think about their relationship in this way, its almost as if Brett is tormenting Jake with the possibility that there is still hope of them being together. Maybe this slight romantic relationship is just what Jake needs.
It seems that the both Jake and Brett have characteristics that are keeping this relationship apart. For Jake, it is his inability to have sex, which is what Brett wants in a relationship. For Brett, it is her tendency to avidly seek out a "fix" for her sexual desires. If they got together in a relationship, Brett would constantly cheat on Jake, which would leave them both unhappy.
Despite not being officially in a romantic relationship, I believe that both Jake and Brett do love each other. In the text, Jake very really jealous of the homosexual guys in the club. This implies that he cares for Brett and thinks that they are "wasting" Brett. He also gets upset at Cohn when Cohn asks Jake to set him up with Brett. This jealousy really highlights his affection towards her. We know Brett cares for Jake because she wont even start consider marrying Jake. This is because she knows she will constantly hurt Jake, and is trying to protect him.
I guess their relationship right now is the most beneficial for them both.

Exploring a Possible Similarity between Septimus and Clarissa

Hey everyone! One aspect of the book Ms. Dalloway that we didn’t mention in-depth during class is the similarities between Septimus and Clarissa. I believe that there is a meaningful connection between how Septimus does not exhibit feelings and how Clarissa loves Richard.

I am trying to explore the possibility that Clarissa’s feelings towards Richard are just as empty as Septimus’s passion for our world. The fact that Clarissa does not exhibit strong feelings towards Richard is exemplified many times in the text. For example, when Clarissa is going up to her room, she describes the feeling as a nun going up to her quarters (page 30). She feels like a nun because she does not sleep with Richard. Although the book portrays this separation as a product of Clarissa’s illness, I believe it symbolizes the sexual disconnect Clarissa feels from Richard. Additionally, the usage of the word “nun” implies that Clarissa does not show any love to Richard; she “suppresses” her urges. Although, in this case I would argue that she doesn’t suppress her sexual urges for Richard, she simply does not have them.

The argument that Clarissa feels no sexual urges for Richard is derived from the way Clarissa describes her feelings towards Sally Seton. She describes her feelings towards Sally to be different than her feelings towards a man (page 33). She also states that this bond could only exist between a woman to another woman. I believe this is an instance in which Clarissa is feeling more attraction to Sally than Richard. This is also supported by the text when Clarissa kisses Sally. Although she does not initiate the kiss, she willingly accepts it and enjoys it. This makes it seem as if Clarissa can never be truly be in love with a man. Since Richard is a man, she does not truly love him, thus there exists a distinct disconnection between the two. Now the issue of “why did Clarissa marry Richard if she does not feel anything towards him?” The reason why Clarissa marries a man instead of a female is because of her strict upbringing. Her strict upbringing sets predetermined expectations for Clarissa; she has to marry a man. For her, marrying a female is not even an option. This is supported when Clarissa states, “[her feelings] were completely disinterested” (page 33). She cannot succumb to her desires because she is not supposed to. Therefore, she continues on a truly disinterested relationship with Richard.

Septimus has no feelings. He does not feel love towards Lucreiza, and he does not feel the fear of death. Septimus CANNOT feel because something is holding him back (probably the memories of war). Similarly, Clarissa CANNOT feel anything in her relationship with Richard because she is also held back (from her true love, by society). The similarity between the two is interesting!