Introduction to The House of the Rising Sun

This blog intends to give insight in the meaning of the title, The Sun Also Rises (SAR) and what it means in relation to the central character, Jake Barnes and his narrative technique. Some criticisms claim that Jake is a hero, fighting a battle against himself. Conversely, some critics view Jake simply as a victim of a “lost generation”. Our findings include several perspectives concerning Hemingway’s connection to Ecclesiastes and how the epigraph and the title guides readers throughout the narrative.

Some of the more unusual theories included the use of Jake as at tool for Hemingway to tell a personal story about himself. Equally as creative theories present the idea that Hemingway was not writing about Jake at all, but is instead focusing the novel on the earth and its connection to the SAR characters. One source even included a letter written by Hemingway to a friend in which he explains what he was trying to convey in the title. A common trend among the criticisms was that Brett Ashley influenced Jake’s narration as did his war injury. Many commentators also felt that Jake’s injury was connected to the title because of a circular path that it put him on.

Gertrude Stein’s remark which appears before the Ecclesiastes epigraph was also referenced quite a bit. In fact, it was revealed that Hemingway considered using her remark, “you are all a lost generation” as the basis for a possible title of the SAR. Gertrude Stein’s quote is an integral part of this novel and of Hemingway’s understanding and intention with each of the characters.

Although we cannot accept or reject any opinion or perspective over another, we hope that this compilation of commentaries and our educated interpretations can help other readers in their pursuit of ethical reading and understanding of this literary work. This annotated bibliography gave us a new found appreciation for Hemingway as an author and revealed to us his careful and thoughtful style.