Next Wednesday, October 10th at 2pm in the Library we'll be discussing The Sun Also Rises at the club meeting.
Meet the group on the first floor of the Library!
Friday, October 5, 2007
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Chapter 14
1. Jake struggles with his demons at night. How does this represent the allusion of his name?
2. Discuss the significance of the following: “I had been having Brett for a friend. I had been getting something for nothing. That only delayed the presentation of the bill. The bill always came” (152). What does this show about Jake’s current system of values? How does this square with the count’s view on values? Remember this scene when you later must understand why Jake makes certain sacrifices for Brett Ashley and you have to consider what it costs him.
2. Discuss the significance of the following: “I had been having Brett for a friend. I had been getting something for nothing. That only delayed the presentation of the bill. The bill always came” (152). What does this show about Jake’s current system of values? How does this square with the count’s view on values? Remember this scene when you later must understand why Jake makes certain sacrifices for Brett Ashley and you have to consider what it costs him.
Chapter 13
1. Why do Bill and Jake get on so well with Harris, the Englishman they meet while fishing?
2. Jake and Bill have a great time being up in the mountain fishing. Whose absence permits them the freedom to enjoy this time together? (More than one answer—and you may need to read further to answer it! That is, who causes conflict later in the story.)
3. Montoya is the hotel owner and a fellow aficionado. What is an aficionado? Why is Jake accepted into group? Discuss the significance of the quote: “For one who had aficion, he could forgive anything. At once he forgave me all my friends.” This will be more meaningful by time you get to the end of the story. Consider this though: If you went to Mardi Gras in New Orleans, do you think you could get a hotel room at the Royal Senestra on Bourbon Street? That is the equivalent to what Jake did during the Fiesta de San Fermin in Pamplona.
4. When Jake describes to Bill how they will unload the bulls and put steers in with them to keep them calm, Bill comments, “Must be swell being a steer.” Who later makes almost the exact same statement and what happens after he makes it?
5. What war story does Brett ask Mike to relate and why? (page 139)
6. At the unloading Jake shows Brett how the bulls use their horns. What is Jake’s comparison? How is the comparison significant to the story?
7. The bulls are only dangerous when detached from the herd. How is this idea symbolic in the story? Who gets detached from the herd?
8. Why does Mike accuse Robert of being like a steer?
9. Discuss the significance of the following quotes from Mike directed at Robert or to Jake about Robert:
a. “What if Brett did sleep with you. She’s slept with lots of better people than you” (146).
b. “Don’t you know when you’re not wanted? I know when I’m not wanted” (146).
c. “Don’t go. Robert Cohn’s going to buy a drink” (147).
d. “No, listen Jake. Brett’s gone off with men. But they weren’t ever Jews, and they didn’t come and hang about afterward” (148).
10. Discuss Robert’s comparison of Brett to Circe, the enchantress from the Odyssey (page 148).
11. Jake tells Bill, “We’ve got to keep Mike from getting so tight.” What does “tight” mean?
2. Jake and Bill have a great time being up in the mountain fishing. Whose absence permits them the freedom to enjoy this time together? (More than one answer—and you may need to read further to answer it! That is, who causes conflict later in the story.)
3. Montoya is the hotel owner and a fellow aficionado. What is an aficionado? Why is Jake accepted into group? Discuss the significance of the quote: “For one who had aficion, he could forgive anything. At once he forgave me all my friends.” This will be more meaningful by time you get to the end of the story. Consider this though: If you went to Mardi Gras in New Orleans, do you think you could get a hotel room at the Royal Senestra on Bourbon Street? That is the equivalent to what Jake did during the Fiesta de San Fermin in Pamplona.
4. When Jake describes to Bill how they will unload the bulls and put steers in with them to keep them calm, Bill comments, “Must be swell being a steer.” Who later makes almost the exact same statement and what happens after he makes it?
5. What war story does Brett ask Mike to relate and why? (page 139)
6. At the unloading Jake shows Brett how the bulls use their horns. What is Jake’s comparison? How is the comparison significant to the story?
7. The bulls are only dangerous when detached from the herd. How is this idea symbolic in the story? Who gets detached from the herd?
8. Why does Mike accuse Robert of being like a steer?
9. Discuss the significance of the following quotes from Mike directed at Robert or to Jake about Robert:
a. “What if Brett did sleep with you. She’s slept with lots of better people than you” (146).
b. “Don’t you know when you’re not wanted? I know when I’m not wanted” (146).
c. “Don’t go. Robert Cohn’s going to buy a drink” (147).
d. “No, listen Jake. Brett’s gone off with men. But they weren’t ever Jews, and they didn’t come and hang about afterward” (148).
10. Discuss Robert’s comparison of Brett to Circe, the enchantress from the Odyssey (page 148).
11. Jake tells Bill, “We’ve got to keep Mike from getting so tight.” What does “tight” mean?
Chapter 12
1. How does Bill respond when Jake tells him to “go to hell.”
2. As Bill and Jake banter, Bill tells him to say something pitiful. His answer: “Robert Cohn.” What does this answer indicate?
3. What does Bill and Jake’s banter about he expatriate movement reveal about Jake?
4. When Bill slips and mentions impotency, Jake narrates, “I was afraid he thought he had hurt me with the crack about being impotent. I wanted to start him up again.” What does this show about Jake and Bill’s relationship? (Also, the joke they refer to about the tricycle accident and how a tricycle is similar to an airplane, how Jake was hurt, refers to a joke about a man losing his genitals in a tricycle accident.)
5. Discuss Bill’s statement: You’re a hell of a good guy and I’m fonder of you than anybody on earth. I couldn’t tell you that in New York. It’d mean I was a faggot.” Remember the homophobic scene with Jake in the bar when Brett enters?
6. When Bill discovers Jake has brought only two bottles of wine, he accuses Jake of being in the pay of the Anti-Saloon league. “The Saloon must go, and I will take it with me” (128). What historical matter does this exchange present?
7. Jake reads a romantic novel (page 125). How does this compare to Cohn’s earlier romantic readings?
2. As Bill and Jake banter, Bill tells him to say something pitiful. His answer: “Robert Cohn.” What does this answer indicate?
3. What does Bill and Jake’s banter about he expatriate movement reveal about Jake?
4. When Bill slips and mentions impotency, Jake narrates, “I was afraid he thought he had hurt me with the crack about being impotent. I wanted to start him up again.” What does this show about Jake and Bill’s relationship? (Also, the joke they refer to about the tricycle accident and how a tricycle is similar to an airplane, how Jake was hurt, refers to a joke about a man losing his genitals in a tricycle accident.)
5. Discuss Bill’s statement: You’re a hell of a good guy and I’m fonder of you than anybody on earth. I couldn’t tell you that in New York. It’d mean I was a faggot.” Remember the homophobic scene with Jake in the bar when Brett enters?
6. When Bill discovers Jake has brought only two bottles of wine, he accuses Jake of being in the pay of the Anti-Saloon league. “The Saloon must go, and I will take it with me” (128). What historical matter does this exchange present?
7. Jake reads a romantic novel (page 125). How does this compare to Cohn’s earlier romantic readings?
Chapter 11
1. What do Bill and Jake share with the Basques as they ride the bus up to Burgette to fish? What do they negotiate as part of the price of their room?
Chapter 10
1. From Biarritz to Pamplona and throughout the rest of the trip, note how Jake keeps track of the prices he pays. This is important and reflects the theme of values and of the prices we pay, literal and figurative.
2. What does it indicate when Jake describes himself and Bill enjoying the scenery while Robert is asleep in the back of the car?
3. Discuss the conflict that arises between Bill and Robert. What is the anti-Semitic element of the conflict? Why does Jake now have conflict with Robert?
4. Discuss the significance of Jake’s prayers in the cathedral.
5. Resolve the paradox of Bill’s remarks about Robert: “The funny thing is he’s nice, too. I like him. But he’s just so damn awful” (107) and the later comment: “And as far as this Robert Cohn,” Bill said, “he makes me sick, and he can go to hell, and I’m damn glad he’s staying here so we won’t have him fishing with us.”
2. What does it indicate when Jake describes himself and Bill enjoying the scenery while Robert is asleep in the back of the car?
3. Discuss the conflict that arises between Bill and Robert. What is the anti-Semitic element of the conflict? Why does Jake now have conflict with Robert?
4. Discuss the significance of Jake’s prayers in the cathedral.
5. Resolve the paradox of Bill’s remarks about Robert: “The funny thing is he’s nice, too. I like him. But he’s just so damn awful” (107) and the later comment: “And as far as this Robert Cohn,” Bill said, “he makes me sick, and he can go to hell, and I’m damn glad he’s staying here so we won’t have him fishing with us.”
Chapter 9
1. How do Brett and Mike become included in the trip to Spain?
2. Why is Brett concerned about Robert Cohn also going? What has happened between her and Robert in the time lapse between chapter 8 and 9.
3. What does it symbolize when Jake finds out about the relations between Brett and Robert and he as narrator tells us, “We walked along and turned a corner.”
4. Why do Brett and Mike not come right away to Spain with Bill and Jake, who meet Robert at Biarritz.
2. Why is Brett concerned about Robert Cohn also going? What has happened between her and Robert in the time lapse between chapter 8 and 9.
3. What does it symbolize when Jake finds out about the relations between Brett and Robert and he as narrator tells us, “We walked along and turned a corner.”
4. Why do Brett and Mike not come right away to Spain with Bill and Jake, who meet Robert at Biarritz.
Chapter 8
1. Characterize Bill Gorton. He is Jake’s best friend. (Remember that Cohn told Jake, “You’re about the best friend I’ve got” after which Jake thinks, “God help you” (47). What is his profession? What do he and Jake have in common? Why does he help the boxer in Austria? “What is his feeling about values? (page 78). What does he mean when he says, “Secret of my success. Never been daunted. Never been daunted in public”? (Hint: he and Jake follow the same code.)
2. When they meet Brett, she comments that she must bathe. Her preoccupation with bathing continues throughout the book. What does this symbolize? (Consider Lady MacBeth’s compulsive hand washing.)
3. On page 84, Mike Campbell, Brett’s fiance’, is introduced. What is his state of health at the time and why? Note how his health declines over the rest of the novel as he binges more and more.
4. What does he say to treat Brett as a sexual object? Why does he do so?
2. When they meet Brett, she comments that she must bathe. Her preoccupation with bathing continues throughout the book. What does this symbolize? (Consider Lady MacBeth’s compulsive hand washing.)
3. On page 84, Mike Campbell, Brett’s fiance’, is introduced. What is his state of health at the time and why? Note how his health declines over the rest of the novel as he binges more and more.
4. What does he say to treat Brett as a sexual object? Why does he do so?
Chapter 7
1. When Jake and Brett talk again about living together, do you think she actually loves him?
2. Brett tells Jake that Count Mippoppipopolous is actually “one of us.” What does she mean?
3. Why does the count enjoy paying for wine and others good times? Jake usually pays his bills, but the count picks up the tab when they are out with Brett. Remember that he offered Brett $10,000 to go to San Sebastian with him.
2. Brett tells Jake that Count Mippoppipopolous is actually “one of us.” What does she mean?
3. Why does the count enjoy paying for wine and others good times? Jake usually pays his bills, but the count picks up the tab when they are out with Brett. Remember that he offered Brett $10,000 to go to San Sebastian with him.
Chapter 6
1. What does Harvey Stone mean when he tells Robert, “I misjudged you . . . . You’re not a moron. You’re only a case of arrested development.?
2. When Francis discusses with Jake the fact that Cohn is going to dump her, why does she tell him: Don’t have scenes with your young ladies.” Why does Robert Cohn want to leave her now?
2. When Francis discusses with Jake the fact that Cohn is going to dump her, why does she tell him: Don’t have scenes with your young ladies.” Why does Robert Cohn want to leave her now?
Chapter 5
1. Why does Robert Cohn stop in to see Jake? (Note that Jake is at work—he is the only one of his Paris friends that has an actual job.)
2. What does the argument they have show about Jake and Robert? Why does Jake insult Brett? Why is Robert offended? Consider his statement, after just meeting Brett, that Brett wouldn’t marry anyone she doesn’t love.
2. What does the argument they have show about Jake and Robert? Why does Jake insult Brett? Why is Robert offended? Consider his statement, after just meeting Brett, that Brett wouldn’t marry anyone she doesn’t love.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Chapter 4
1. What does the chapter show about Jake and Brett’s relationship with each other?
2. Why does Jake say, “What’s happened to me is supposed to be funny”?
3. When Jake goes back to his apartment, he thinks about his wound: “It was a rotten way to be wounded and flying on a joke front like the Italian.” What does the subsequent discussion show about the nature of his wound?
4. What does he mean at the end of the chapter, “This was Brett, that I felt like crying about”? What does he mean when he uses the term “hard boiled”?
2. Why does Jake say, “What’s happened to me is supposed to be funny”?
3. When Jake goes back to his apartment, he thinks about his wound: “It was a rotten way to be wounded and flying on a joke front like the Italian.” What does the subsequent discussion show about the nature of his wound?
4. What does he mean at the end of the chapter, “This was Brett, that I felt like crying about”? What does he mean when he uses the term “hard boiled”?
Chapter 3
1. Why does Jake have dinner with Georgette? What is her profession?
2. What commentary does Jake make about the war?
3. What is significant about the men who enter the club with Brett Ashley?
4. Describe Robert Cohn’s demeanor upon seeing Brett.
5. Discuss Jake’s use of irony.
2. What commentary does Jake make about the war?
3. What is significant about the men who enter the club with Brett Ashley?
4. Describe Robert Cohn’s demeanor upon seeing Brett.
5. Discuss Jake’s use of irony.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Chapter 2
1. Why does Robert Cohn come to see Jake? In what endeavor does he want Jake to join him?
2. How does Jake express his passion for the bull fights?
3. How does Jake show empathy with Robert?
2. How does Jake express his passion for the bull fights?
3. How does Jake show empathy with Robert?
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Chapter 1
1. Characterize Robert Cohn. What is his past?
2. What anti-Semitic feelings did he have to face?
3. What is his connection with Jake Barnes, the narrator.
4. What does the final scene with Francis show about his dependence and his passive qualities?
2. What anti-Semitic feelings did he have to face?
3. What is his connection with Jake Barnes, the narrator.
4. What does the final scene with Francis show about his dependence and his passive qualities?
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Welcome!
Hello!
I'm Bianca Rodriguez, club sponsor of the River Readers Book Club. Don't worry - you haven't been thrown into a club just because you're using this blog! I decided to experiment with The Sun Also Rises because I notice students sometimes struggle completing the novel (that is, without the aid of Cliffs Notes!).
I will set up posts for each chapter of the novel. Feel free to comment on anything related to the novel or to ask each other questions. Sharing video and images is great too! And, just a pesky reminder that all posts are moderated and any posts that violate college conduct rules will be blocked.
About me: I am a Librarian at the Main Campus of IRCC. I've been with the college since 2004 and have worked with the English Department every semester! I enjoy helping students work through the research process, whether it's an English paper, a Health Science project, or a Psychology assignment.
I hope you gain something valuable out of reading a novel with a group!
-Bianca
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