Jake Barnes
The protagonist and narrator of the novel, Jake was a former soldier in World War I and there are frequent implications throughout the book that because of a war injury he has lost the ability to have a sexual relationship. Jake prefers to hint at his real thoughts and feelings rather than just say them, which makes parts in the story that should be dramatic a lot less emotional and his personality upfront seem to not have any depth. His frequent attempts to bring his friend, Robert Cohn, down, and bully him is perhaps a result of his own insecurities about his masculinity and feelings of inadequacy. He is considered, along with his friends whom he travels with, part of the "Lost Generation," people who have become psychologically and morally lost as a result of WWI.
The protagonist and narrator of the novel, Jake was a former soldier in World War I and there are frequent implications throughout the book that because of a war injury he has lost the ability to have a sexual relationship. Jake prefers to hint at his real thoughts and feelings rather than just say them, which makes parts in the story that should be dramatic a lot less emotional and his personality upfront seem to not have any depth. His frequent attempts to bring his friend, Robert Cohn, down, and bully him is perhaps a result of his own insecurities about his masculinity and feelings of inadequacy. He is considered, along with his friends whom he travels with, part of the "Lost Generation," people who have become psychologically and morally lost as a result of WWI.
Lady Brett Ashley
Lady Brett Ashley is Jake Barnes' love interest in the novel and she is considered a very independent woman who does not want to commit to one man. She refuses to commit to a relationship with Jake because that would mean having to give up sexuality in the relationship. Brett's independence however does not make her happy, and throughout the novel she is frequently complaining to Jake about how miserable her life is and how it is aimless and unsatisfying. It seems that Hemingway presented Brett in a way that reflected his opinion about women, that a liberated woman is a threatening and dangerous force for men.
Lady Brett Ashley is Jake Barnes' love interest in the novel and she is considered a very independent woman who does not want to commit to one man. She refuses to commit to a relationship with Jake because that would mean having to give up sexuality in the relationship. Brett's independence however does not make her happy, and throughout the novel she is frequently complaining to Jake about how miserable her life is and how it is aimless and unsatisfying. It seems that Hemingway presented Brett in a way that reflected his opinion about women, that a liberated woman is a threatening and dangerous force for men.
Robert Cohn
Cohn is notably the Jewish character in the book, and Jake does not let the reader forget it because of how often he and the other characters offend and bully Robert because of his religion. His whole life Robert has felt like an outsider because of his religion, and his feelings of inadequacy explains his attachment to Lady Brett Ashley. Robert is so terrified of being alone and being rejected that, when it happens, he refuses to accept it. Cohn's attempts to win Brett over are so foolish and clumsy that he is an easy target for mockery among the men in the group. Unlike Jake and the other veterans in the novel, Robert holds onto traditional beliefs and values, most likely because he never experienced World War I firsthand.
Cohn is notably the Jewish character in the book, and Jake does not let the reader forget it because of how often he and the other characters offend and bully Robert because of his religion. His whole life Robert has felt like an outsider because of his religion, and his feelings of inadequacy explains his attachment to Lady Brett Ashley. Robert is so terrified of being alone and being rejected that, when it happens, he refuses to accept it. Cohn's attempts to win Brett over are so foolish and clumsy that he is an easy target for mockery among the men in the group. Unlike Jake and the other veterans in the novel, Robert holds onto traditional beliefs and values, most likely because he never experienced World War I firsthand.