Sun Also Rises Existentialism

In the novel The Sun Also Rises, author Ernest Hemingway explores several themes and characterizing elements of the novel. One such element is “embracing meaningless activities.” The novel’s setting is in Europe some years after the first world war. During this time period, people struggled with disillusionment, personal identity, and existential questions that begged to be answered in wake of the terrible destruction. One of the epigraphs preceding the start of the first chapter is a quote by Gertrude Stein, a well-known writer of the era: “You are all a lost generation.” She refers directly to the loss of direction people faced in their lives. The war left them shell-shocked and life became purposeless. Consequently, activities became meaningless.

In other cases, people turned to alcoholism to self-distract. In the novel, Jake describes Brett and Bill as “good drunks,” and Michael as a “bad drunk.” Everyday, the gang wanders Europe searching for meaning. However, they do not want to confront their sad reality, so they resort to drinking at almost every opportunity. In order for the characters to remain sane and be superficially happy, they need not drag themselves down in the philosophy of their purposeless lives. They avoid thinking too deeply by embracing a daily routine of wandering around and going to cafes to drink. Truthfully, embracing activities that are “meaningless” saves the characters from themselves. If they were hypothetically forced to confront the meaningless nature of their daily lives, it would certainly be detrimental. Instead, they continue, determined to enjoy their life, even if it continues without purpose. It is important to note, that while they are aware of their self-impairment through alcohol, some already have a strong sense of identity and a firm set of personal values. Brett and Bill, are examples of this, and are “good drunks” because

The character’s passion for their meaningless activities paradoxically gives some meaning to their lives because their passion renders the activities purposeful. This is best shown by Hemingway through his contrasting use of minutia and syntax style. Throughout, he weaves minutia through his short, unadorned text, to show that not everything has to have a purpose. The contrast between the use of minutia and syntax shows the need to strive for purpose in meaningless