The Sun Also Rises Chapter 7
Brett and Count Mippipopolous come to Jake’s home. Brett says that the reason she missed their date was that she was drunk, but Jake does not believe her. When Brett offers to make the count leave, Jake declines, but she still sends the count on an errand to go get champagne.
Jake asks her why they cannot simply live together, but Brett tells him that her infidelity would make him miserable. She then tells Jake that she will be leaving Paris soon to move to San Sebastian, Spain. She says that both of them will be happier this way.
When the count returns with the champagne, he waxes philosophical, recounting the seven wars he has fought in. He says that these experiences are why he relishes life so much and enjoys it so fully now.
The three have a nice dinner, and the count asks why Jake and Brett do not marry. Both give meaningless answers, not wishing to discuss anything with emotional depth.
Brett then says that she wishes to go home. Jake accompanies her, but she does not want him to come upstairs, despite the two kissing passionately a few times before parting ways.
Analysis
Continuing with character development, we are given more insight into Brett’s character, personality, and even reputation here. Brett is seen as sophisticated by the building’s concierge, but we also see less flattering aspects of her.
She appears careless and unwilling to accept responsibility when she flicks her cigarette ashes onto Jake’s floor. When she is “caught” doing so, she simply places the blame on Jake for not providing her with an ashtray. She also tells Jake that it’s her inability to be faithful that would make Jake miserable if they were to be together as a couple.
However, we also see that Jake’s impotence bothers her, perhaps as much as it bothers Jake because she does appear to love Jake deeply. When she tells Jake to stop kissing her and expresses that living far apart will be better for both of them, we understand her feelings towards Jake, along with her dismay at never being able to consummate a relationship with him.
The count observes that these two should marry, but he is unaware of the thing that keeps them apart.
This chapter also allows Hemingway to express the message regarding the importance of really living life, as opposed to simply dreaming, or writing, about it. The count expresses this when Jake suggests that he write a book about wines: The count responds that all he wants to do is enjoy them. The count continues by mentioning the many war conflicts he’s been in, and how these have strengthened his resolve to live every moment to its fullest.
