Here's a question from Shelbi that didn't get brought up in class today. I thought it was a good one!
"Does the character's apparent post-war lack of direction still resonate with readers today?"
In other words, can you--in any way--understand, relate to, or sympathize with what Jake is going through? Some of the discussion questions I read from the rest of you seem to indicate that folks are having a hard time with these characters.
Thoughts?
I think that what Jake is experiencing directly relates to that specific time period. World War I was deemed the "War to End All Wars". Never before had civilization seen so much death and destruction. After it was over, society felt lost and ravaged, especially the veterans returning home. It can be easy to see how a loss of faith would be common in such individuals, which is shown in the novel when Jake attempts to pray. Things would only continue to spiral out of control when the Great Depression became a reality. I think Hemingway perfectly captured that feeling of loss of identity and purpose that was felt following the war.
ReplyDeleteI'm actually not sure if it is still relevant to today's readers. I think that we are lucky enough to live in a time where both males and females can express their thoughts and pains without a great deal of stigma. I also think that we might just have more opportunities to busy ourselves. Even if we, as a generation, do lack motivation, we can get a job playing video games, or blog about the latest fashion trends. I don't think many of us know what to do with these characters.
ReplyDeleteIt hard to say without actually experiencing what Jake had to endure. You would think with the de-sensitivity of our generation that war atrocities wouldn't bother us as much as it would Jake. But then again, you hear about many stories of PTSD, and many soldiers are scarred for life. I would like to think that, if called upon, I would have no problem keeping my sanity no matter what I saw in a war zone. However, it is impossible to really know without experiencing it. Personally, I feel for Jake, his injury is the ultimate fear of all men. In that regard, as a man, I can fully relate to the uncertainty and lack of motivation Jake has.
ReplyDeleteSome smart comments here. I do think the book takes on a new relevance for our times, with so many soldiers (men and women) returning from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan with both physical and emotional injuries.
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