The connection between Roberts changes and America as a whole's change was an interesting idea that came up during the discussion and I think that this connection could be quite important to Robert character. America had just come out of a war successful in The Sun Also Rises and then proceeded to go into an isolationism period. This is reflected in Roberts change after returning from America. As Jake says he was a "nice boy" before he went he also informs us that he is not since his return from America. Robert was also successful like the U.S. had been in the war, as he had done well in the publishing of his book. After returning to Paris his is rejected by his friends and spends his time alone, while the U.S. also spent a good deal of time apart from Europe and the rest of the world.
I also think that the values of America made Robert feel powerful, and inflated his ego. Because Robert feels inferior to Jake because Jake went to war, I feel that some of the ego that was the product of his success in America is due to the fact he feels as powerful, successful, or as manly as Jake. Unfortunately because everyone dislikes Robert he is still rejected and considered a boy in many circumstances because he has not been to war like many of Jake's friends. "Robert has not been to war, and he acts as if he is an equal among Jake and his friends who have all been to war, and that frustrates Jake," I agree with Kanchans statement here.
I also wonder at the connections between Robert and Jake's situations and personalities. The discussion we had came upon the similarities in their situations and relationship problems but I also wonder at whether there is more to Roberts success in America; and his further failure in relationships and Jake's success in surviving the war; but loosing his ability to have sex. Because of the similar successes and failures I think that this might also have contributed to the hatred Jake has towards Robert because he sees all of his own failures in Robert.
I think you bring up an interesting point about how Robert's personality reflects that of America's following the war, in terms of isolationism. Following the war, America turned to isolationism and Cohn after going to America went from being a nice person to being a mean person. I think thats an interesting idea that you bring up. I also like your relation between America's success in the war and Cohn's success in writing a novel. I hadn't thought about these relations till I read your blog. Do you also think that Jake reflects America's relationship with the other countries in the war? America turned to isolationism and he is also the one member of the group who is sort of isolated from everyone else.
ReplyDeleteI think that you have a point concerning Cohn isolation after returning to Paris. However I think that America's isolation was by choice, rather than Cohn's isolation which is due to his friend s rejection. This similarity is important to further the connection between America and Cohn however I think here it falters a little as the reasons are quite different.
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