Brett's Iceberg

We spent the last class talking about the end of The Sun Also Rises in an attempt to wrap up any loose ends. In some areas we were successful, while in others we couldn’t quite decipher Hemingway’s cryptic style. However, not once during the discussion did we mention the abuse Brett went through regarding her previous relationship. Although it was only briefly mentioned, Brett’s abuse makes up a significant part of the novel, as it indirectly affects each character. We see this with Jake, Cohn, Mike, and Pedro Romero. Last year in English class we often talked about abuse, discussing how it basically destroyed a person’s confidence in relation to any and all relationships. 

Hemingway only touches on Brett’s previous abusive relationship, yet again using the iceberg method to leave the reader in the dark. Brett’s abuse could more than likely be the reason for her masculinity. Brett makes herself appear more masculine with her hair and her actions. She ultimately fears being too feminine. When Romero asks her to grow out her hair she declines, stating that she would look ridiculous with longer hair. Furthermore, the abuse could have propelled her promiscuity. Brett chooses to portray herself in a more masculine manner when she decides to sleep with a wide array of men. Whether she realizes it or not, Brett cuts herself off from relationships before they go too far due to that subconscious fear of being abused again—even leaving Pedro Romero because of that fear.