The Sun Also Rises : Quotations
The Sun Also Rises is a notable literary work by Ernest Hemingway. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of The Sun Also Rises.
Quotations
Quotes
“You can’t get away from yourself by moving from one place to another.”
Exp: Jake says this to Cohn, who thinks traveling to a new place will make him happy. But Jake means that no matter where you go, your problems and sadness go with you. You cannot escape from your own mind and heart. The Lost Generation tries to run away from pain, but it follows them everywhere.
“Everybody’s sick. I’m sick, too.”
Exp: Here, Jake tells Georgette that he is “sick” when she asks why he does not want to kiss. This shows both his physical injury and the emotional pain that many feel after the war.
“I was a little ashamed, and regretted that I was such a rotten Catholic.”
Exp: This line shows that Jake feels bad about not being a good believer. He seems unsure about his faith. His confusion and doubt show how much the war has affected him—even in his religious beliefs.
“Under the wine I lost the disgusted feeling and was happy.”
Exp: Jake speaks this line. Alcohol becomes a way to forget the scar left by the war for Jake and many others in his circle.
“Nobody ever lives their life all the way up except bullfighters.”
Exp: Here, Jake is admiring the bullfighting and the skills of Pedro Romero. Bullfighting is a symbol of courage, bravery, and honor. After going through the horrors of World War I, the “lost generation” lost faith on these ideals. So, Jake and others look up to bullfighters as examples of living life fully with courage.
“Come on … Let’s get out of here. Makes me damned nervous.”
Exp: During the fiesta in Pamplona, Brett goes to a church with Jake to pray for Pedro Romero. However, the church has made her nervous soon enough. So, she says this to Jake. This line shows that Brett and the post-war generation try to run away from everything. They feel empty inside. They have lost faith in old values like love, honor, bravery, and even religion.
“Couldn’t we live together, Brett? Couldn’t we just live together?”
Exp: This line expresses both Jake’s deep love for Brett and his pain. He knows that he cannot make a happy life with Brett because of his war injury, which has made him impotent (unable to have sex). But he cannot stay away from her either.
“Oh, Jake, we could have had such a damned good time together.”
Exp: Brett says this to Jake at the very last scene. It expresses her regret that she and Jake cannot make a happy couple because of his war injury. It is a heartbreaking line. She admits what Jake already knows: that they love each other deeply, that they would have been happy if not for his wound.
“Yes, isn’t it pretty to think so?”
Exp: Jake replies to Brett with this very famous line. It also expresses Jake’s regret that he cannot make a happy life with Brett. Their dream can never be fulfilled. Their love is strong, but it can never become real.