The Sun Also Rises · Chapter
Chapter XVI explained
During the rainy San Fermín fiesta, Jake introduces Brett to Pedro Romero, which sparks an immediate attraction.
What happens
During the rainy San Fermín fiesta, Jake introduces Brett to Pedro Romero, which sparks an immediate attraction. Mike's drunken behavior and anti-Semitic insults toward Cohn escalate tensions. Later, Brett confesses to Jake that she is in love with Romero, and they go to find him. Montoya confides in Jake about protecting Romero from corrupting foreign influences.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Sexual Frustration
Brett's intense attraction to Romero and her confession to Jake highlight the theme of unfulfilled desire and emotional turmoil.
Alcohol and Hedonism
The characters drink heavily throughout the chapter, with Mike's drunkenness driving conflict and revealing underlying tensions.
Expatriation and Alienation
Montoya's concern about foreign influences corrupting Romero reflects the expatriate dynamic and cultural clash.
Characters to notice
- Jake Barnes
Narrator and intermediary; introduces Brett to Romero, later walks with Brett and protects Romero from Montoya's message.
- Lady Brett Ashley
Immediately attracted to Pedro Romero; confesses her love for him to Jake and seeks his help.
- Robert Cohn
Target of Mike's drunken insults; remains at the table with a sallow, yellow look.
- Bill Gorton
Drunk and joking; buys multiple shoeshines for Mike during dinner.
- Mike Campbell
Very drunk; makes crude jokes about bulls and insults Cohn repeatedly.
- Pedro Romero
Young bullfighter; polite and composed, attracts Brett's attention; later reads her palm.
- Montoya
Hotel owner; seeks Jake's advice on whether to give Romero a message from the American ambassador, wanting to protect him.
Key passages
“I'm a goner. I'm mad about the Romero boy. I'm in love with him, I think.”
Brett admits to Jake that she has fallen for Pedro Romero and feels helpless about it.
Brett's confession reveals her emotional vulnerability and impulsive nature.
“Don't give Romero the message.”
Jake advises Montoya to withhold the invitation from the American ambassador to protect Romero from corrupting influences.
Jake aligns with Montoya's desire to preserve Romero's integrity as a bullfighter.