The Sun Also Rises Group

Question:

mattskies
mattskies
Student
High School - 10th Grade

Does the life and death concept have anything to do with the symbolic significance of bullfighting in The Sun Also Rises?

Rate question:

Posted by mattskies on Monday October 15, 2007 at 4:12 PM and tagged with bullfighting, symbolism, the sun also rises.

Answers:


  1. dymatsuoka

    eNotes Editor

    The bullfighter is portrayed as a hero because he is willing to risk death in order to live life to the fullest.  As Cohn is told, "Nobody ever lives their lives all the way except bullfighters."  This is in contrast to the philosophy ascribed to by the majority of characters in the book, members of the "Lost Generation."  Their lives are empty because, unlike the bullfighter who is unafraid to experience life to the fullest, the measure of their life's worth is money and how it is used.  The concept of heroism in life and death is looked upon as unattainable by the normal person, and so they are destined to live and die in aimlessness and mediocrity.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/tsar/themes

    Rate answer:

    Posted by dymatsuoka on Monday October 15, 2007 at 7:53 PM