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?

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.

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”?

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.

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?

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?

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