The Sun Also Rises Chapter 10

Jake, Bill, and Robert hire a driver and car to take them to Pamplona. Robert remains unsure about whether or not the other two men know of his affair with Brett, but he irritates them with his continual pompous “knowledge” about what Brett is doing, and will be doing. An annoyed Bill then wagers Robert a hundred pesetas that Robert’s claim that Brett and Mike will not arrive as planned is wrong. Bill tells Jake that he is irritated when Robert acts “superior and Jewish.” 

Jake goes with Robert to the train station hoping that Robert is wrong about Brett and Mike’s arrival, and hoping to irritate Robert. Unfortunately for Jake (and Bill), Robert’s prediction that the pair would not arrive as planned is the case. Shortly, a message from the pair arrives stating that Brett is feeling ill, so they have stopped in San Sebastian. Again, to irritate Robert, Jake does not share the telegram with Robert but does share that Brett and Mike are in San Sebastian. 

Jake and Bill then continue with their trip by taking a bus to Burguete to go fishing. Robert stays back, though, planning to meet Brett and Mike when they arrive. Bill tells Jake that Robert “confided” to him about his affair with Brett. Bill says that Robert is nice but quite awful. 

Analysis

We are introduced, in part, to the setting in which the rest of the book takes place. All events henceforth will take place in Southern France or Spain. Paris is only occasionally referenced. 

The irritation with Robert continues to grow. Not only is Jake bothered by Robert, but the less-than-friendly wager between Bill and Robert indicates Bill’s dislike of Robert. He even specifies reasons as to why he finds Robert to be so disagreeable to him.