In our class discussion on “The Sun
Also Rises,” we talked about Brett’s character, and many people made the point
that they found her to be masculine because she is very outspoken and does not
hold back her feelings. She also drinks heavily, and she even misses a planned
meeting with Jake and blames it on her drunkenness. Brett says she is in love
with Jake, is engaged to Mike, and goes on a get away with Cohn to San
Sebastian where we are to assume they had sex. If men in our society choose to
have multiple girlfriends or partners, they are seen as “studs,” but if a woman
was to do this, she would be seen as a slut or easy. Do you find the way that she
treats men to be wrong, or do you find her to be a positive role model for
women to look up to?
I really like the question you pose here. I really enjoy Brett's character, but don't necessarily see her as a role model. I think a reason behind why Brett is not punished for her actions could be that men love her. Even Mike admits to knowing that she has been with other men. Jake knows this, Cohn knows, everyone is aware of her promiscuity, but she's Brett, she's beautiful, and everyone adores her.
ReplyDeleteIt is a thoughtful question that Jessica has posed, to which Paige has added insight. Life is complex and there are no easy answers to ethical questions. I think that an argument can be made that Brett is a positive role model. Conversely, an equally good argument can be made for her being a poor female role model. Personally, I am drawn to this character as someone who makes other people feel alive. Brett alternately brings out the best and worst in her male suitors. Like all of the characters in the novel, Brett is flawed and damaged by life. Like the other veterans in the story, she, too, has witnessed horrific sights in the war. As a result, Brett drinks too much and sleeps around excessively, but she is vibrantly alive. For good or bad, Brett has a zest for life that is admirable. She is a survivor who does what she has to to stay alive. That seems pretty positive to me.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Charles, there is certainly no easy answer for how to view Brett. She is more masculine in some ways, but definitely follows stereotypical female attitudes. She drinks a lot, calls herself a "chap", always partying, loud, emotional, etc. However, I always find myself stopping. It is difficult to pass judgement on her when I wasn't alive in the 1920s. Some things taboo to a modern audience may have been very normal and vice versa. But as for my opinion of her, I would probably avoid her out of historical context or in.
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