Comparing Barnes of The Sun Also Rises and Caraway of The...

Similarities Between Barnes of The Sun Also Rises and Caraway of The Great Gatsby Supported by Ten Quotes from Sun Also Rises, No quotes from Gatsby Jacob Barnes shares a personality quirk with Nick Caraway; both want to give the impression of being decent, honest men forced to endure the corruption and pettiness of those around them. â€Å"Whats not clear through most of The Sun Also Rises is whether or not Jake believes his own press†(Trilling, 34). Nick Caraway speaks openly of his integrity and then contradicts himself with his actions. Hemingway uses the contrast between Jakes descriptions of others and what is left unsaid to establish his superior morals. This leaves room to wonder about Jakes sincerity, but its not†¦show more content†¦His very cynicism comes off as a rough kind of honesty. This seems validated by his disclosure of his war injury and the implication that it has left him impotent. All thats needed now is a denied love interest: enter the Lady Brett Ashley amidst a crowd of chattering homosexual men. Brett joins Jake at t he bar and they take up the dance of advance, retreat and parry that is their relationship. Brett loves a good time and is not shy about pursuing her desires. Perhaps its unfortunate that she now desires Jake, but his very inaccessibility could be irresistable to her. Who wouldnt sympathize with Jake? His dilemma is agonizing and yet he maintains some dignity, most of the time anyway. When he cries in the night, [feeling] like hell again (Hemingway, 34), he is truly the victim of cruel fate, isnt he? When Cohn sees Brett, hes immediately in over his head or as Jake observes, He looked a great deal as his compatriot must have looked when he saw the promised land. Cohn, of course, was much younger. But he had that look of eager, deserving expectation. (Hemingway, 22) When the two men lunch together the next day, Cohn is mad to know more about Brett. Jake is brusque and dismissive about Brett, almost warning Cohn off. Theres a momentary stand-off as Cohn takes offense and Jake tells him to go to hell. Both back down and Cohn ends with youre really about the best friend I have, Jake; Jakes interior