# Chapter XII explained — The Sun Also Rises

> Chapter companion for The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway.

## What happens

Jake and Bill Gorton spend a day fishing in the Irati River near Burguete, engaging in humorous and ironic banter about expatriation, writing, and masculinity. They enjoy the natural setting, drink wine, and discuss Jake's past with Brett. The chapter ends with a peaceful return to Burguete after five days of good fishing, with no word from Cohn or Brett.

## Themes in this chapter

### Expatriation and Alienation

Bill accuses Jake of being an expatriate who has lost touch with his roots, echoing the novel's critique of the expatriate lifestyle.

### Masculinity and Identity

The conversation about impotence and the joking about homosexuality highlight Jake's struggle with his masculine identity.

### Nature and Escape

The fishing trip provides a peaceful escape from the complexities of Paris and relationships, emphasizing the restorative power of nature.

## Character check-ins

### Jake Barnes

Jake and Bill fish and talk; Jake reveals he was in love with Brett but claims he no longer cares.

### Bill Gorton

Bill teases Jake about being an expatriate, jokes about impotence, and asks about Brett.

### Harris

An Englishman staying at the inn who joins them for bridge and fishing.

## Key lines

> You're an expatriate. One of the worst type. Haven't you heard that? Nobody that ever left their own country ever wrote anything worth printing.

Bill criticizes Jake for being an expatriate, claiming that leaving one's homeland destroys one's ability to create meaningful work.

_Bill's ironic critique of expatriation reflects the novel's theme of alienation._

> Listen. You're a hell of a good guy, and I'm fonder of you than anybody on earth. I couldn't tell you that in New York. It'd mean I was a faggot.

Bill expresses deep affection for Jake, but notes that such sentiment would be misinterpreted as homosexuality in America.

_This highlights the constraints on male emotional expression in early 20th-century American culture._

> Were you ever in love with her? ... Off and on for a hell of a long time.

Bill asks Jake about his feelings for Brett, and Jake admits he has loved her intermittently for a long time.

_This reveals Jake's lingering emotional attachment to Brett despite his claim of indifference._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_sun_also_rises_se/chapters/xii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_sun_also_rises_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_sun_also_rises_se/chapters