“You are all a lost generation.”
— Gertrude Stein (epigraph)
Chapter 1: Paris and Jake Barnes
The novel opens with Jake Barnes, an American expatriate and journalist living in Paris, introducing his social circle, including his friend Robert Cohn, a wealthy but insecure writer. Jake is in love with Lady Brett Ashley, a charismatic but emotionally unstable divorcée, but their relationship is strained because Jake was rendered impotent by a war injury.
Chapter 2: Robert Cohn’s Restlessness
Robert Cohn, dissatisfied with his life, pressures Jake to travel to South America with him. Jake refuses, knowing Cohn’s romanticized view of adventure is naive. Meanwhile, Brett’s engagement to Mike Campbell is revealed, adding tension as she continues to flirt with Jake.
Chapter 3: The Drunken Night Out
Jake, Brett, and their friends spend a chaotic night in Paris, drinking heavily. Brett’s engagement to Mike is overshadowed by her attraction to Jake and her flirtations with other men. The group’s aimless behavior reflects their postwar disillusionment.
Chapter 4: The Trip to Spain
Jake and his friend Bill Gorton plan a fishing trip to Burguete, Spain, while Brett and Mike intend to meet them later in Pamplona for the fiesta. Robert Cohn, still infatuated with Brett, decides to join them despite tensions.
Chapter 5: Fishing in Burguete
Jake and Bill enjoy a peaceful fishing trip in the Spanish countryside, contrasting sharply with the chaotic Parisian lifestyle. Their camaraderie and the serene landscape offer temporary escape from their existential struggles.
Chapter 6: Arrival in Pamplona
The group reunites in Pamplona for the San Fermín festival. Brett immediately attracts attention, including from the young bullfighter Pedro Romero. Tensions rise as Mike mocks Robert Cohn’s lingering affection for Brett.
Chapter 7: The Bullfights Begin
Jake introduces Brett to Pedro Romero, who is immediately captivated by her. The bullfights become a central spectacle, symbolizing both bravery and brutality. Meanwhile, Mike’s drunken insults toward Cohn escalate.
Chapter 8: Conflict Erupts
Robert Cohn, unable to handle Brett’s rejection, violently attacks Jake and Mike before confronting Pedro Romero in a jealous rage. Despite the fight, Romero performs brilliantly in the bullring the next day.
Chapter 9: Brett and Romero’s Affair
Brett begins an affair with Romero, further alienating the group. Jake, though hurt, helps facilitate their relationship. The fiesta ends, and the group scatters, their friendships fractured.
Chapter 10: Aftermath in San Sebastián
Jake retreats to San Sebastián to recover from the emotional turmoil. He receives a desperate telegram from Brett in Madrid, asking for help.
Chapter 11: The Final Meeting
Jake rushes to Madrid, where Brett confesses she sent Romero away, realizing their relationship was unsustainable. The novel ends with Brett and Jake in a taxi, resigned to their unfulfilled love but clinging to their bond.
Key Ideas
- The disillusionment of the “Lost Generation” after World War I.
- The search for meaning in hedonism and escapism.
- Masculinity and emasculation in the postwar world.
- Love and desire without fulfillment.
- The contrast between superficial excitement and inner emptiness.
Who should read this book?
- Readers interested in modernist literature and the Lost Generation.
- Those exploring themes of existential crisis and postwar disillusionment.
- Fans of Hemingway’s sparse, impactful prose.