This one's from Kyla:
Hemingway closes this novel with a fantastic but possibly enigmatic line. What do you think he means by "Isn't it pretty to think so?" [Lots of you actually brought up versions of this question--and questions about Brett's remark--it is cruel of her to say what she does?]
As I just mentioned in another comment, I believe Jake has finally reached a point by the end of the novel where he has come to terms with his wound, and the fact that he and Brett will never be together. For better or worse, he has chosen to move on with his life. He saw the affect that unrequited had on a person through the torment of Robert Cohn. He developed a hatred for him due to how pathetic he came across when they were in Pamplona. I believe Jake began to distance himself from Brett emotionally upon realizing this. When Jake helped Brett seduce Romero, I believe that was his way of metaphorically "giving up" Brett. He was finally comfortable with her being with other men.
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