# XVII explained — The Sun Also Rises

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

## What happens

The aftermath of the fiesta's violence unfolds as Jake, Bill, and Mike discuss Cohn's beating by Pedro Romero and Brett's departure with the bullfighter. Mike reveals Brett's troubled past with her husband. The chapter also details the death of a villager, Vicente Girones, during the bull run, and the subsequent funeral. Later, a confrontation at a bar leads to a fight where Cohn assaults Jake and Mike.

## Themes in this chapter

### Alcohol and Hedonism

Characters drink heavily throughout the chapter, using alcohol to cope with emotional pain and the fiesta's excesses.

### Disillusionment and Aimlessness

The characters' aimless drifting and violent confrontations underscore their post-war disillusionment and lack of purpose.

### Love and Sexual Frustration

Cohn's obsessive love for Brett leads to violence, while Brett's pattern of seeking care from men highlights her own frustrations.

## Character check-ins

### Jake Barnes

Narrates the chapter; reflects on Cohn's actions and his own injuries; gets into a fight with Cohn.

### Bill Gorton

Defends Mike against insults; recounts the morning's bull run; helps Jake after the fight.

### Mike Campbell

Drinks heavily; discusses Brett's past and her departure with Romero; gets into a bar fight.

### Robert Cohn

Beaten by Romero; confronts Jake and Mike about Brett's whereabouts; physically assaults Jake.

### Lady Brett Ashley

Mentioned as having left with Pedro Romero; her troubled marriage is discussed by Mike.

### Pedro Romero

Kills the bull that killed Vicente Girones; gives his ear to Brett; has beaten Cohn.

## Key lines

> He ruined Cohn. You know I don't think Cohn will ever want to knock people about again.

Mike says that Romero has broken Cohn's spirit, and Cohn will likely stop being aggressive.

_Mike comments on the aftermath of Romero's beating of Cohn._

> I gave Brett what for, you know. I said if she would go about with Jews and bullfighters and such people, she must expect trouble.

Mike admits he scolded Brett, telling her that associating with Jews and bullfighters would lead to problems.

_Mike reveals his prejudiced and frustrated reaction to Brett's choices._

> Muerto! Dead. He's dead. With a horn through him. All for morning fun. Es muy flamenco.

The waiter announces that a man has been killed by a bull's horn during the morning run, calling it very flamenco.

_The waiter reports the death of Vicente Girones during the bull run._

> I'll make you tell me—you damned pimp.

Cohn threatens Jake, calling him a pimp, and demands to know where Brett is.

_Cohn confronts Jake aggressively about Brett's whereabouts._

## Links

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