The last line of the book stood out more than any other line. It surely gave me the chills when I read it. This was the response from Jake to Brett when she said: "Oh Jake, we could have had a damned good time together."
But would they really have had a "damned good time" together?
As readers, I think we can all admit that at some point in the book, we've all wanted Jake and Brett to be together in the end. This was the sort of "happy ending" that I honestly thought was the only way Hemingway could make the book have a happy ending, but I was wrong.
Throughout the book, Hemingway hints at Jake's injury; rather, Jake (the narrator) hints at his own injury. In the beginning, I never knew the extent in which the injury could impact his relationship with Brett. Sadly, this injury would ultimately keep him from being able to be with her. As a consequence, Jake was forced to be Brett's "friend": a friend that would kiss her, a friend that would go to her whenever she called, and a friend that was closer than many of the men whom she was engaged with.
Why Jake? Why? Why do you do such things for Brett? When this discussion comes up during class, I have the same thoughts every time: Jake just really loves Brett. When you love someone so much, the thing that makes you most happy is when that someone is also happy. For Jake, satisfying Brett's needs and desires and seeing that it could make her happy was one of the main things that could make him happy (and not lonely!).
And Jake stuck to it. He stayed loyal to Brett. Even through the numerous guys she was with, Jake kept his emotions and composure and didn't show anger towards Brett. But Brett, I believe, never realized how much of a blessing Jake was to her. Furthermore, even if Brett was with Jake (without Jake's injury), I feel like Brett would've done the same thing she did to all her other guys. It is Jake's injury that is actually somewhat pulling them together. It is Jake's injury that allows them to have a friendly relationship.
Finishing the book, I think the ending is the best possible situation for both Jake and Brett. Jake will never have been able to maintain an intimate relationship (engaged) with shifty Brett. Their relationship right now gives them space and support when they need it. Jake's "Isn't it pretty to think so?", shows his resignation and realization that Brett and him can never be together. But it's okay! It's also a realization (for the readers too) that for right now, in that taxi cab with his arm around Brett, is truly beautiful itself.
I interpret the last line as more of an epiphany; Jake realizes how his "infatuation" for Brett has caused him to sacrifice so much of his own life, so he says the line in kind of a snarky, almost sarcastic tone. I prefer this interpretation because the scenario in which Jake and Brett are left in a half-complete relationship is unfulfilling, especially to the reader who's suffered through 200+ pages of Jake pining for Brett. I feel like the ending where Jake prepares to split ways with Brett and finally distance himself is more compelling because it ends the novel with finality instead of going right back to where we started the plot in the first place. However, both interpretations are valid and depend on the reader's opinion.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with your points. Firstly, I did say that the last line related to a sort of epiphany. Secondly, while Jake does sacrifice a lot for Brett, he is doing this because he loves Brett. If Jake distances himself from Brett, I believe he will feel even more depressed and lonely. It is this continuous interaction with Brett that gives Jake a purpose.
DeletePerhaps this is a difference in the way we read the novel, but I personally thought the happy ending throughout the book would've been Jake getting over Brett. All Jake had been doing throughout the novel was suffering as a result of Brett. Also, when he made the conscious decision to "reject" Brett's final dialogue, it shows his independence and his ability to be strong along. That being said, I agree that the ending is the best possible situation for both of them. Brett wouldn't have been satisfied and Jake would've been constantly anxious of what Brett wanted/would do.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Albert. I think that Jake's willingness the sacrifice so much for Brett is more destructive than it is positive. I also agree that this ending is probably the best for them both. I don't think that Jake and Brett would have been happy with each other even if Jake did not have his injury. I think Brett would still try to seduce other men in order to be supported financially and just come to Jake for emotional support.
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