Hemingway’s Treatment of Religion in “The Sun Also Rises.”

Answer

Discuss Hemingway’s treatment of religion in “The Sun Also Rises.”

Ernest Hemingway’s (1899-1961) novel “The Sun Also Rises,” published in a post-war world in 1926, presents a complex and subtle exploration of religion. The characters in the novel, who belong to the ‘lost generation,’ display a range of attitudes towards religion. It reflects their disillusionment with traditional values (including religion) after the horrors of World War I.

Jake Barnes’ Ambiguous Relationship with Religion: In the novel, Jake Barnes, the protagonist, shows an ambiguous relationship with religion. Although Jake was raised as a Catholic, his faith appears to be weak and uncertain. Throughout the novel, Jake occasionally reflects on religion, but these reflections often come across as half-hearted or skeptical. For example, when he visits the church in Paris, Jake admits that he doesn’t feel comfortable praying, and he questions whether his prayers would even be heard. Jake says,

I was a little ashamed, and regretted that I was such a rotten Catholic,

This quote reflects Jake’s conflicted feelings about his faith. This sense of doubt suggests that Jake’s faith, like much of his life, has been deeply affected by the war.

Robert Cohn’s Jewish Identity and Search for Meaning: Hemingway also uses the character of Robert Cohn to highlight a different aspect of religion. Cohn, who is Jewish, is frequently mocked by his friends for his religion. However, Cohn’s Jewish identity is more of a cultural background than a religious practice. There is little evidence in the novel that Cohn actively practices his faith or that it provides him with any sense of purpose or identity. Instead, Cohn seems to be searching for meaning in life through other means, such as love, writing, and adventure.  Jake says to Robert Cohn,

You can’t get away from yourself by moving from one place to another.

The line suggests they are living in a world where searching for meaning or comfort through travel is futile and ultimately purposeless.

Brett Ashley’s Rejection of Traditional Religious Values: Brett Ashley, the novel’s main female character, also exhibits a distant relationship with religion. Brett’s lifestyle, which includes multiple romantic relationships and a carefree attitude toward social norms, contrasts sharply with traditional religious values.

Brett’s actions suggest a rejection of religious values, and overall, rejection of traditional societal expectations of women. However, beneath her outward confidence and independence, Brett also shows signs of inner turmoil and regret. Brett says at a church,

Come on … Let’s get out of here. Makes me damned nervous.

The church gives Jake some solace but leaves Brett feeling nervous. This internal conflict reflects the broader theme of the lost generation’s struggle with the loss of traditional values, including religion.

Religious Disconnection: The theme of religion in “The Sun Also Rises” is further complicated by the setting of the novel. The story takes place in post-war Europe, where religion has historically played a significant role in shaping culture and society. However, the characters in the novel seem to be disconnected from these religious traditions. Their lives are marked by a lack of purpose, direction, and meaning. The novel’s depiction of the “fiesta” in Pamplona, a traditional religious festival, further illustrates this point. The characters participate in the “fiesta” primarily as a social event, with little regard for its religious significance.

In conclusion, Hemingway portrays religion as a fading presence in the lives of the characters. They are struggling to find meaning in a world that has been forever changed by the war. The novel suggests that the traditional religious values that once provided purpose are no longer sufficient to address the existential crises faced by the lost generation.