Jake And Cohn Relationship

In this scene Cohn and Jake discuss their feelings about Brett, the night after Cohn had just met her at a bar. Cohn is enamored with Brett, continually stating what an amazing women he thinks she is while Jake seems to disagree saying that she's a drunk, who jumps from man to man. This conversation is revealing about the relationships between both the men and Brett, because it shows how they are both so enamored with her and how it is clearly testing the bonds of their friendship, while also demonstrating the effect Brett has on both men. Jake and Cohn have many moments of turmoil throughout the book, but nothing seems to stir up more anger than the topic of Brett Ashley. Jake and Brett have a long history as they first met each other during the war and then started a torrid relationship. Cohn is seemingly unaware of this and when he first meets Brett he is immediately attracted to her, much to the dismay of Jake. Cohn sets aside all …show more content…
Additionally his persistence to defend her clearly annoys Jake as he states, “Well, … She's done it twice.” (47) Brett causes so much tension as she is a skilled manipulator who is able to keep the men at an arms length and still have them want her. The men go crazy for her and spar for her attention and loyalty, that she so sparingly gives out. Cohn and Jake are both helplessly in love with her causing their already sour relationship to worsen. Another reason Jake doesn’t like Cohn is because the circumstances between the two are very similar. Both love Brett and she doesn't reciprocate the love that they display for her. They both go through the pain in the hope of one day winning her affections and getting to be with her, no matter what the