The Sun Also Rises Chapter 8
Time has passed when Jake receives correspondence from Brett stating that she is still vacationing in San Sebastian. He also receives a message from Robert, who says that he has left Paris for a while to visit the countryside, although not accompanied by Frances (who has gone to England).
Jake’s friend Bill Gorton arrives for a visit from the United States. The two plan to visit Pamplona soon to enjoy the bullfights and do some fishing. First, though, Bill heads off to spend a few days visiting Vienna and Budapest. Upon his return, though, he says that he was so drunk during his visit that he remembers very little of the places.
Jake and Bill go to find a place to eat when they see Brett. Jake had not been aware that she had returned from San Sebastian.
The three go have drinks, but eventually, Brett leaves to meet her fiance, Mike Campbell. Bill and Jake eat and drink some more, and later meet up again with Brett, and Mike. Mike is drunk and appears very amorous towards Brett. Jake and Bill leave to attend a boxing match.
Analysis
Foreshadowing is bluntly employed, as the coincidence of Brett being gone, as well as Robert, during the same time, seems suspect. Brett does not wish to provide any details of her time away, either, hinting at possible bad behavior.
Bill Gorton is a friend of Jake’s, but he does not share the same perspective on the war, as it seems that Bill did not participate in combat. He was a war correspondent, however, witness to the horrors of war, and thus he is “almost” a veteran, as Brett implies.
Notable is Bill’s assertion that input always reflects reward appropriately. He explains that if you give somebody money, they’ll give you fair trade in return. However, Jake’s philosophy is vastly different, as he gave his service in the war, and was rewarded with a life-altering injury. Jake’s cynicism is highlighted by Bill’s comparative naivety.
Yet again, we are reminded of Brett’s desirability, as Bill agrees that Mike is a lucky man for having her.
