Chapter four though relatively short is an important chapter in the novel as it gives a first and last insight into the relationship shared by Brett and the protagonist Jake. It also while reveals their present equation also gives valuable insight into their past and even hints about the future.
The passage starts on page 33 with Brett saying “ Don’t touch me “, in response to Jake’s impromptu kiss and ends on page 35 with “ We were sitting now like two strangers”.
Well Brett and Jake are not two strangers they have a rich and colorful history which includes a romantic liaison, but the details of which are hinted at but never divulged. We the reader are just left guessing at what brings the two to this point. What is clear that they are very much in love, but have decided to not be together. Brett not yet divorced is already engaged to another man and about to embark in flings with two more and has left a trail of broken hearts. But, the most broken heart of all sits beside her now. Jake, unable to fulfill the physical desires of Brett as he is rendered incompetent with a war injury makes the ultimate sacrifice in giving up Brett. She on the other hand indulges shamefully with men, all the while hanging on to the hapless Jake who is always quietly and patiently waiting in the wings to pick up the pieces so after her dramatics she can start a new equally destructive liaison. Two questions come to mind, firstly why does Jake allow himself to be such a door mat? And secondly, if in this convenient arrangement why cannot these two marry while keeping an open relationship where companionship is fulfilled for Brett through Jake and physical relations by others? After all, are they not informally carrying out this arrangement anyway? Perhaps, the answer lies in the fact that they both enjoy the sheer pleasure of the torture of love. This is hinted at by the last few lines, where Jake says, “ Its very funny. And it’s a lot of fun too to be in love”. This may be said in jest or sarcasm but Brett retorts, “ I think it’s hell on earth”. The words “hell” are repeated often by her, as it has religious significance. Of penance for sins on this earth.She implies earlier on that she has used men, “ Well I think of the hell I’ve put chaps through. I’m paying for it now”. Brett considers her heartache divine retribution for her sins and enjoys wallowing in self pity as it makes her a pious self sacrificial lamb to the slaughter. She worships her pain like a religion but her promiscuity may have been a way to deal with her heartache over Jake, therefore she comes full circle in no win situation. Using men helps her to forget Jake but by hurting others God hurts her through taking Jake away from her. Brett does not want to see Jake, she has to. This tellingly explains that seeing him is part of the sentence she has been condemned to by her judge and executioner, to see him, be in love but never have him is her punishment that she willingly serves. Jake on the other hand is serving his sentence, he is a living dead man devoid of emotions or hope, an outsider and the soul audience to the play being enacted.
I am almost reminded of the novel “Hunger”, where the protagonist would almost in a masochistic manner torture himself as he felt he deserved to be hungry. In the same way, is it not possible for the two to move on and find solutions, but they choose not to do so, ”And there’s not a damn thing we could do”, “ We’d better keep away from each other”, “ But darling I have to see you “. It hardly seems to matter who says the lines when the sentiments they share echo off each others pain. Yes, indeed, loves labor lost !
Hi Wesley, you made some well thought comments on the passage in chapter V. Cohn, is obviously very smitten after his meeting earlier with Brett, but obviously this will not hold well with Jake who is in love with Brett. He still maintains a very good platonic friendship with Brett but cannot be with her due to his impotency. Therefore, while on the surface Jake is calm, composed and trying to be friendly with his friend and look out for his interest, deep down he harbors jealousy and resentment. Some of this is directed at Cohn, but mostly it is directed at him self as he is helpless to reverse his situation. Therefore, I disagree that Jake is in control of himself. If he were he would win over Brett and become a whole man that can be sexually active. In fact I feel both men have their own share of problems and burdens, and do not have control over their lives. The hapless and frustrated Jake is caught in a no win situation with Brett as he watches her affairs from the sidelines, while Cohn always ruled by the women in his life is torn over his loyalty towards Frances but desperately wants to tear himself away from this relationship and feels the lovely Brett will offer an escape not just from France but ironically Frances ( Hemingway may have used this name intentionally) . I do not really think Jake is confident to believe that Brett would choose him over Cohn, but realizes that ultimately Brett the free bird will never allow any man to tie her down as she drifts from one aimless liaison to the next. It is debatable if Jake is trying to protect Cohn, Brett or himself more in discouraging the Cohn-Brett union. However, the final comment “ God help you”, is thought by Jake in a sarcastic tone as he reveals to us that he is not the unconditional friend to Cohn that Cohn thinks he is.
http://whamilton.hsblogs.aes.ac.in/2011/10/12/tsar-chapter-5-important-passage/
It is not about if Jake is really in control of himself or not, but rather how Jake feels about it. Yes, Brett is all over the place, but Jake has this idea that, between him and Cohn, Brett would choose him. Part of this is due to the fact that Jake doesn't like Cohn, but Jake does have this special relationship with her, as we see in various scenes (the taxi scene). The control I mentioned was over the situation at hand, not so much over themselves. As Jake and Cohn are having lunch, Cohn is giving himself over to Jake by asking him all these questions. Jake, all the while, appears a bit distance. Jake knows that Cohn is on the rebound from Frances, and in this rebound Cohn immediately strives to win Brett over. The lunch with Jake is a means of getting more information about her. The fact that Cohn goes for another girl right after he gets out of his relationship with Frances shows poor self-control, he's just following his heart without slowing down, without any rational thought. Jake sees this weakness in Cohn, and half out of protectiveness, half out of dislike, he gives Cohn less than satisfactory information, mostly through a bitter tone. Had Jake been indifferent, he would've described Brett with neutrality. Had Jake wanted something to spur between Cohn and Brett for Cohn's sake, he would've described Brett in a better tone. But he doesn't, and instead he gives a bitter account of Brett's love life.
ReplyDeleteThe relationship that Brett and Jake feel is definitely one that will last if only platonic. They share an irrevocable bond beyond the sexual and cannot let go of each other. It is almost as if they are drug addicts. They are addicted to each other and need their fix, seeing Jake is equivalent to a needle full of heroin, you need the thrill even though you know it is self-destructive. They are both a sorry pair and really need therapy to get over each other.
ReplyDeleteI am confused though other than jealousy what is it about Cohn that Jake dislikes. After all were they not friends going back to college and do not they have things in common such as their writing. Surely, Jake is intelligent to know that any relationship that Brett and Cohn will enter into will be a temporary one so really Jake should not feel insecure. On the contrary, he should feel sorry for Cohn, as he should realized that at the end of the day Brett, who admits to her failings with men will simply use and discard Cohn, leaving him vulnerable and heartbroken. Maybe the better strategy would have been over lunch to make Cohn see the values of keeping Frances who wants a commitment.
I'd like to point out that for the most part, platonic relationships do not work out. Now there will be cases where they work, but these aren't as common. And given the fact that you see their relationship as an addiction, don't you think this is an indication that something is missing? Take teen love, for example. Two young teens will have an explosion of emotions, they feel as if the other is all there is and ever will be, a very narrow-minded view of things. This distorted view is due to the lack of wisdom. They haven't lived for very long, and so all their assumptions and ideas are based on this small view of things. I feel Jake and Brett are like this, they're missing something if they want a real relationship, which is perfectly plausible.
ReplyDeleteWith Cohn and Frances, you have to realize that Frances was so controlling, so much that Cohn lost a sense of manhood. He couldn't take care of himself after that, as is apparent with Brett, because his relationship with Frances was skewed. And you could see Cohn's bad experiences with Brett could be his own fault, what with Cohn's history with Frances and his failure to see who Brett really was before.
Yes, Frances was controlling with Cohn but the book mentions that so was his first wife. But dont you think that Brett is just as controlling with Cohn who follows her around in the Spain trip like a puppy dog begging for affection. Brett spurns him and takes off with Romero which makes Cohn jealous who punches Romero. Brett at this point rejects him despite his tears and pleas and humiliates poor Cohn who finally admits defeat and moves on. Should not Jake have been more firm in discouraging Cohn from Brett knowing the heartache she would surely give him and save him from her. After all at that point he was not in love as they had just met and it was only attraction based on her beauty. I would love to explore the character of Cohn of what drives him to destructive relationships? Perhaps he has some mother issues in the past and he allows women to take over and emasculate him?
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