The Lost Generation is a term that poet Gertrude Stein used to describe the generation of men and women whose experiences in World War I undermined their beliefs in manhood, morality, justice, and love. Without these ideals to rely on, the Lost Generation lived an aimless existence characterized by apathy; they became morally and psychologically lost. In The Sun Also Rises, Jake and his group of friends are part of this Lost Generation, but some embody the traits more than others. Jake’s knowledge of the fruitlessness of the Lost Generation’s way of life differentiates him from his friends, but he is trapped in this lifestyle and is still subject to its faults. Jake’s friends are unsuspecting of their status in the Lost Generation, while
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Their relationship is the central emotional conflict present throughout much of the novel, Jake wants to be with Brett, but Brett is unable to overcome her desires and Jake’s inability to satisfy them because of his injury. Brett’s refusal to enter into a relationship emasculates Jake, which is why he lashes out at Cohn for achieving the sexual relationship with Brett that he cannot. Jake is aware that continuing to interact with Brett only worsens his emotional issues, but he cannot keep himself away from her. Much like the Lost Generation, Jake continues to engage in destructive behavior, however, Brett cannot destroy him the way she destroys other men. Jake’s plight with Brett is captured perfectly by the final lines of the novel: “Isn’t it pretty to think so?” (Hemingway 251) His cynical reply illustrates that he has no misconceptions about their status. He is aware of the fact that if he and Brett were able to enter a relationship, it would not have ended any differently than her other failed endeavors. In this instance, Jake embodies the Lost Generation’s sense of hopelessness because he realizes that imagining a situation that would never occur is the best he and Brett can do. Much like the lost purpose of the Lost Generation, their relationship is a forlorn dream that will never be
Their relationship is the central emotional conflict present throughout much of the novel, Jake wants to be with Brett, but Brett is unable to overcome her desires and Jake’s inability to satisfy them because of his injury. Brett’s refusal to enter into a relationship emasculates Jake, which is why he lashes out at Cohn for achieving the sexual relationship with Brett that he cannot. Jake is aware that continuing to interact with Brett only worsens his emotional issues, but he cannot keep himself away from her. Much like the Lost Generation, Jake continues to engage in destructive behavior, however, Brett cannot destroy him the way she destroys other men. Jake’s plight with Brett is captured perfectly by the final lines of the novel: “Isn’t it pretty to think so?” (Hemingway 251) His cynical reply illustrates that he has no misconceptions about their status. He is aware of the fact that if he and Brett were able to enter a relationship, it would not have ended any differently than her other failed endeavors. In this instance, Jake embodies the Lost Generation’s sense of hopelessness because he realizes that imagining a situation that would never occur is the best he and Brett can do. Much like the lost purpose of the Lost Generation, their relationship is a forlorn dream that will never be