Jake's Character Development
Jake’s complex relationship with Brett is the focal point of The Sun also Rises . As the novel progresses, the relationship becomes increasingly complicated in all regards. Rather than offering closure, the final scene creates further convolution, raising the question: does Jake display character development over the course of the novel, or does he end up right back where he started at the beginning of the story? At the beginning of the novel, it is quite apparent that Jake greatly desires a true romantic relationship with Brett. On their first taxi ride together, he displays immediate physical affection towards her, kissing and holding her close. Brett momentarily breaks contact, upset by the overtly intimate nature of the interaction, but quickly resumes her amicable composure. Jake inquires about her reaction, despite obviously knowing the reason for her conflicting feelings toward romantic interaction. He then asks “‘Isn’t there anything we can do about it [their incompatibili...