Comments on: SAR #2

By: Mattman_Robinson

Mattman_Robinson — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 18:23:06 +0000

The theme of bluntness of Hemmingway was something that helped to create the mindset that I enjoyed in reading this novel. When we think of things we often turn them over in our minds hundreds of thousands of times, and when we finally come to a conclusion we sometimes realize that ,looking back on the experience, we don’t waste time with the long-winded explinations that an author like Hawthorne immortalize. We try to get to a conclusion as quickly as possible to come to the most effective answer. In reading this book I can see the mindsets that the characters work through, where as another author like Hawthorne would cloud this theme with superfulous explanation.

By: Larry Joe

Larry Joe — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 03:50:06 +0000

A major theme/motif in SAR is the lack of genuine and honest communication. Many characters don’t express their true feelings especially when confronted. They become insecure and take out this insecurity on other such as Cohn. This motif is enhanced by the style of Hemmingway which is like a reporter. He uses an objective style of writing, which always leaves questions unanswered. Since all questions are not answered the reader loses the genuine feeling from the speaker. Thus giving the feeling of “fakeness”. His style enhances the motif of inscurity of genuine communication.

By: Matt H

Matt H — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 02:52:58 +0000

well, hey and sorry rachel I somehow spelled your name wrong on the last comment Hemmingways journalistic style definitely makes the characters come alive. It is funny but his short to the point sentences make the characters feel even more down to earth and up to date in modern society during this time period. If hawthorne had written this book it would have been very boring.

By: Rachel H.

Rachel H. — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 01:44:24 +0000

Since the meaninglessness of life and the lost-ness (haha) of the characters are major themes of SAR, Hemingway’s style fits well with the story. He writes so sparsely and boringly that I got an accurate sense of what it must have been like for those characters, living their alcohol-sodden days in and out. Blech. If Hemingway had written in a style like Hawthorne’s, then the story wouldn’t match the style at all. I probably would have gotten the impression that the story was deeper and more complex than it actually was. The characters also tend to be withdrawn, especially Jake. He doesn’t completely say what he thinks at any time, and using a Hawthorne-like style would have steamrolled that aspect of him.

By: Beth

Beth — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 22:24:07 +0000

this book would in no way portray the same mesages, motfis, etc. if it were written in hawthorne’s style. hemmingway’s short choppy style embodies the hectic, random and lost feelings of the characters. hawthorne could not have done this.

By: Christina :)

Christina :) — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 16:33:47 +0000

Hemmingway’s style is straight to the point with short snd simple stories and ideas. Throughout “The Sun Also Rises” the main theme was that everyone in the story was searching for meaning and happiness in life but they can’t find what they are searching for. Hemmingway’s style shows this by using short sentences and slightly vague description portrays the characters as being lost and searching for something they will never find.
If this story was written in a syle such as Hawthorne the reader would loose the idea of the characters being lost because in that style the reader would get a description of every little detail and would not be able to assume that there is something missing from the characters lives that they are searching for.

By: Valerie

Valerie — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 16:22:56 +0000

Hemingway’s style relfects the themes and motifs through his short and journalistic style. Everyone is lost and searching and they don’t know what they want. Through Hemingway’s style, the reader understands the feeling of meaninglessness and the characters don’t care attitude. If the style had changed the reader would lose the attitude of the characters in the novel.

By: Essence

Essence — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 15:57:45 +0000

i def agree with rachel… one of the main themes is that most of the characters are lost. they are emotionally lost. for jake he does not know how to cope with the pain he feels and he therefore travels perhaps to get away and find himself.

By: Rachel M.

Rachel M. — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 02:59:15 +0000

Being lost is one of the major themes in SAR, everyone is constantly drunk and being in Europe is another way of showing this. With the story taking place right after the first world war many people were wanting to escape from the carnage that had just happened so, like Jake they traveled and tried to find the calm that they hadn’t seen for a while.

By: Elizabeth Brown

Elizabeth Brown — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 00:47:46 +0000

One of the themes that stuck out to me was the way the men spend their days. Not really having any major responsibilities, they seem to take life as it comes. Being in Europe has a major impact on this topic as well. Most Europeans are laid back and enjoy their glass of wine out on the veranda. Because drinking is a big part of the story, this is just another way of drawing the characters in your mind as you read.