FREE ESSAY ON ERNEST HEMINGWAY'S THE SUN ALSO RISES

ERNEST HEMINGWAY'S THE SUN ALSO RISES

Code Hero
Ernest Hemingway is one of the authors named "The Lost Generation." He could not cope
with post-war America; therefore, he introduced a new type of character in writing called
the code hero. He was known to focus his novels around code heroes who struggle with the
mixture of their tragic faults and the surrounding environment. Traits of a typical
Hemingway code hero are stimulating surroundings, self-control, self-reliance,
fearlessness, and strict moral rules. In Ernest Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises, Pedro
Romero is the character who maintains the typical code hero qualities, while Robert Cohn
provides the antithesis of a code hero. 
Pedro Romero comes closest to the embodiment of Hemingways's code hero because of his
strength, courage, and confidence. Brett is enchanted by this handsome, nineteen-year-old
matador. He is a fearless figure who confronts death in his occupation; he is not afraid
in the bullring and controls the bulls like a master. Pedro is the first man since Jake
who causes Brett to lose her self-control. She says, "I can't help it. I'm a goner now,
anyway. Don't you see the difference? I've got to do something I really want to do. I've
lost my self respect." In contrast, Pedro maintains his self-control in his first
encounter with Brett. "He felt there was something between them. He must have felt it
when Brett gave him her hand. He was being very careful." Brett falls in love with Pedro
as a hero. When Robert Cohn confronts Pedro because of his jealousy, Pedro demonstrates
his confidence and strong will. Knocked down time and time again, Pedro rises each time
refusing to be beaten. His controlled and dignified demeanor in an unusual situation
contrasts sharply with Cohn's fear and weakness. Pedro really wants to marry Brett
because he wants to make sure she could never go away from him, but he will not
compromise his expectations for a woman and will not accommodate Brett's character even
though he loves her. He leaves Brett willingly when he discovers that his ideals are
impossible for her to accept. Pedro is a man of action and he does not, under any
circumstance, compromise his beliefs or standards. He has been left untainted by Brett,
sustaining his strong-willed, correct behavior. Moreover, he leaves without sulking like
Robert Cohn. 
Robert Cohn violates everything a Hemingway code hero represents. He is rich, gifted, and
skillful and ready to discuss his emotions in detail. Robert refuses to admit defeat when
Brett rejects him repeatedly. Unlike Pedro, when Cohn is hurt, he insists on complaining
to everyone instead of suffering in silence. Cohn does nothing to assert his masculinity
either. He allows people, especially women, to ridicule him and knock down his
self-esteem. Cohn obviously cannot stand up for himself and does not take action when he
should. Consequently, Robert has no self-control. When Pedro sleeps with Brett, he takes
out his jealousy by beating him almost to death. Cohn is a complaining, weak,
accommodating adolescent who has little understanding of others or himself. 
On the whole, Pedro Romero strictly adheres to the qualities of the typical Hemingway
code hero. He relies solely on himself, utilizes his assets, and enjoys bullfighting and
other honorable activities. He is an individual of action and speaks not of what he
believes; rather, he just does what he believes to be right subtly without any fanfare.
On the other hand, Robert Cohn allows people to walk all over him and continually feels
sorry for himself. He is a shallow person who loves on the fringes of life. In the end,
the person who does not possess the code hero qualities can never discover himself.
Therefore, he can never truly be happy.