In The Sun Also Rises, Ernest Hemingway displays the development of trauma on a person, and the negative effects that it can have on relationships and events through the lens of a disillusioned post world war veteran. Due to the portrayal of trauma displayed in The Sun Also Rises, Hemingway demonstrates his idea that avoiding trauma leads to despair due to the bonds broken and the harsh realizations that occur within the process of dealing with trauma and PTSD. The road to hopelessness starts with distractions, which dissolve reality, further leading to a strong sense of despair. In the novel, the main character, Jake, deals with immense trauma from world war 1, including injuries and mental images from the battlefield that haunt him, …show more content…
Brett was a woman who was struggling to find meaning in her life after having been in a multitude of relationships, and Jake has many scars from the war, causing him deep agony both physically and emotionally. They both have trauma from events in their lives that hinder their connection within the relationship. Hemingway intentionally places a sort of disillusioned trauma on these two characters in order to exemplify the division that these past experiences have on the couple. The barrier that was present during the relationship only grew larger as time went on, making it difficult for the couple to form a meaningful connection and to trust one another, ultimately causing a split between them. Therefore, Hemingway’s intention of trauma being the barrier between the relationship is clearly portrayed as the characters begin to grow apart, both realizing the emotional baggage that is taking a toll on the couple. He was unable to process the fact that his relationship with Brett was unable to progress due to their differences. Going deeper, it is evident that Hemingway is emphasizing the importance of mental health in a romantic relationship. While dealing with trauma from the war, Jake’s realtionship with Brett comes to an end then Brett declares that “she can’t stand it,” and they can’t be together anymore because he was named impotent by his war injuries. The idea that war and the trauma that occured from it is what ultimately separated the couple is revealed when Hemingway abruptly ends the