The Sun Also Rises

Novel | Ernest Hemingway
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Compare Jake’s Relationship With Brett and Cohn’s Relationship With Frances.

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Compare Jake’s relationship with Brett and Cohn’s relationship with Frances.  The relationships between Jake and Brett, and Cohn and Frances in “The Sun Also Rises” (1926) highlight contrasting dynamics influenced by personal struggles and emotional dependencies.

Jake and Brett - Unfulfilled Love: Jake and Brett share a deep emotional connection rooted in love and mutual respect. However, their relationship is complicated by Jake’s war injury, which has left him impotent. This physical barrier prevents them from fully realizing their love, leading to a bittersweet bond. Brett values Jake as a friend and confidant, but she is unwilling to give up her sexual freedom for a relationship that cannot fulfill her desires. Brett

says to Jake,

 We could have had such a damned good time together.

This quote reflects the deep but unfulfilled connection between Jake and Brett. Their relationship is marked by a tragic understanding of what could have been, and they both remain emotionally entangled despite the impossibility of a romantic future.

Cohn and Frances - Manipulation and Dependency: In contrast, Cohn and Frances’s relationship is characterized by manipulation and dependence. Frances initially uses Cohn for his wealth and status but becomes increasingly possessive. Cohn, lacking the strength to assert himself, becomes dominated by Frances’s demands. Unlike Jake and Brett’s relationship, Cohn and Frances’s relationship is more transactional and filled with insecurity.

In conclusion, while Jake and Brett's relationship is marked by a deep emotional connection, Cohn and Frances's relationship is based on manipulation and control. It highlights the differences in how each pair interacts.

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Ernest Hemingway
Literary Writer
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from The Sun Also Rises