As intimated in my previous post, it could be argued that
love and war in Hemingway’s novel are closely related blood sports. Indeed, I
think that love serves as a metaphor for war and vice versa, in which
combatants and lovers incur risk, suffer losses, experience ecstasy and joy, endure
pain, and experience virtual death that, paradoxically, makes them feel alive. Although
it can be agonizing for Brett and Jake to be together, it is equally impossible
for them to be apart. Brett is permanently lodged in Jake’s memory and there is
no escape for him. We are less sure about Jake’s effect on Brett.
The story is also a metaphor for life in that there are
fleeting moments of intense pleasure, but they are ultimately counterbalanced
by intense emotional suffering. Like war, life is a struggle for survival.
Death provides the only avenue for escape. No one gets out of here unscarred.
All of the men in the novel are powerfully attracted to
Brett, whom I would argue exudes sensuality. She cavalierly exercises power
over men that can be interpreted as emotional abuse. In essence, Brett has
weaponized male lust, and she is using it in a way that is reminiscent of the
battle front of the war. Ground is won and lost at the expense of many lives. Ground
gained one moment is lost the next, and the battleground is littered with
corpses. Does this make Brett feel more alive? The conflict is existentially pointless.
One example of this behavior occurs when Mike tells Jake
about the letters that Cohn sends his fiancé: “Mark you. Brett’s had affairs
with men before. She tells me all about everything. She gave me this chap Cohn’s
letters to read. I wouldn’t read them” (147). “‘He calls her Circe,’ Mike Said.”
“’He claims she turns men into swine’” (148). Although this seems true, the
only power that anyone has over you is that which you allow them to have.
I think it is very interesting that you have compared the characteristics that love and war share, Charles. I specifically like that you've pointed out Brett's "power over men" and her nonchalance towards her ability to enchant them. I also think of Jake's observation as he is walking with Brett and Cohn. Jake notices women from inside the wine-house "staring at Brett" (142). I wonder if the women are staring because they are surprised by Brett's willingness to walk alone with two males, because Jake does not inform the reader with a reason for the women to be staring at Brett.
ReplyDeleteThat is an interesting question you raise, Rachael. Like so much in this book, Hemingway does not tell us everything; he leaves it up to the reader to draw their own conclusions. I think that your interpretation makes good sense. Indeed, Brett is a fascinating character. I have so many questions about her that I do not know how to answer. Perhaps the concluding chapters will provide some new insight.
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