Body Language In The Sun Also Rises

Hemingway's “The Sun Also Rises” is tiered in 3 books, one erecting off the other. Throughout the book Jake Barnes, the main character, has a tendency to repeat his actions within his weekly encounters. In Book 3, Jake uses his repetitive nature to bring himself to the epiphany that he does not have the capacity to be with Brett. A cab ride with a prostitute from book 1, mirrored with the same body language and a different atmosphere from the cab ride in book 3, demonstrates one of the ways Jake learns with reoccurrence. In this analogous encounter, Jake comes to the bright realization that he has no desire to be with someone who he cannot handle.

Throughout the novel, social encounters between the characters are often drab. Many of the events that happen in the book are repeated at least once. One of the most prominent repetitions is featured in the beginning and end of the book. In Book 1, Jake picks up a prostitute and takes her into a cab; In the cab the woman initiates sensual body language. Opposing her offer, he informs the woman of his injury, calling himself sick. She argues his logic, saying “Everybody’s sick, i’m sick, too” (23). As the conversation carries on, the environment is described as gloomy and dark, matching his tone.

“It was hot and bright” (250), Jakes realization that he is not enough for Brett brings a warm sense of relief to his world. Jake can now see that he is not for Brett and shows a clarity in his way of thinking as well as his lifestyle. The contrast comparison of the similar scene with the same sensual being with a different atmosphere shows that Jake has moved on from what was a dark gloomy rut, to what now has a bright