# XV explained — The Sun Also Rises

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

## What happens

The San Fermín fiesta explodes on Sunday, July 6th, transforming the quiet town into a chaotic, week-long celebration of dancing, drinking, and religious procession. The group watches bullfights, with Brett showing fascination for the bullfighter Pedro Romero. The narrative captures the unreal, consequence-free atmosphere of the fiesta, as the characters are swept into the crowd's revelry.

## Themes in this chapter

### Alcohol and Hedonism

The fiesta is marked by continuous drinking, with characters and locals consuming wine from wineskins and in wine-shops, contributing to the unreal, consequence-free atmosphere.

### Ritual and Tradition

The religious procession of San Fermin, the riau-riau dancers, and the bullfights highlight the deep-rooted rituals that structure the fiesta.

### Expatriation and Alienation

Jake, Bill, and Cohn are identified as 'foreigners' by a banner, underscoring their outsider status even as they participate in the local celebration.

## Character check-ins

### Jake Barnes

Narrator who observes the fiesta's explosion, joins the dancers, and buys leather wine-bottles.

### Lady Brett Ashley

Shows romantic interest in Pedro Romero; is seated on a wine-cask and adorned with garlic wreaths by dancers.

### Robert Cohn

Sits with Bill and Jake at the café; asks about the foreigners and goes to fetch Brett and Mike.

### Bill Gorton

Sits with Jake and Cohn; comments on the village idiot and joins the dancing circle.

### Mike Campbell

Makes remarks about Romero's fearlessness and Brett's attraction to him; mentions getting a drink after the bullfight.

### Pedro Romero

Bullfighter who impresses Brett with his skill and looks; does not fight the next day.

## Key lines

> At noon of Sunday, the 6th of July, the fiesta exploded. There is no other way to describe it.

The San Fermín festival began suddenly and intensely at midday on July 6th.

_Captures the abrupt and overwhelming start of the fiesta._

> Everything became quite unreal finally and it seemed as though nothing could have any consequences.

Eventually, everything felt surreal, as if actions had no repercussions.

_Reflects the hedonistic and detached mood of the fiesta._

> Some dancers formed a circle around Brett and started to dance. They wore big wreaths of white garlics around their necks. They took Bill and me by the arms and put us in the circle.

Dancers encircled Brett, wearing garlic wreaths, and pulled Bill and Jake into the dance.

_Illustrates the spontaneous and inclusive nature of the celebration._

## Links

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