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.”
Sunday, September 16, 2007
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”?
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