Mike Campbell

                           
"Oh, say something more. Say something funny. Can't you see we're all having a good time here?"
"Come off it, Michael. You're drunk," Brett said. 
"I'm not drunk. I'm quite serious. Is Robert Cohn going to follow Brett around like a steer all the time?" 
"Shut up, Michael. Try and show a little breeding." (Hemingway 146)

People can't blame me for coming at Robert, just look at him, he's such a bore. All you see him do is just be by Brett's side all the time like a lost puppy. He usually stays quiet and doesn't say much as if he is intimidated and insecure to speak up. Which when you think about it is weird cause it's not like he doesn't know anyone at the table. He treats Jake as a good friend, who was enjoying himself and Cohn didn't even try to join him and have fun. He's a dull person in my opinion who doesn't even enjoy getting loose and drinking. And then we have Brett who for some reason tries to take Cohns side on this. She was telling me to stop because I was "drunk". Drunk? I wasn't even close to drunk, if I was drunk I wouldn't be able to remember what happened. So that was just me stating my opinion on what I thought of Cohn, whether it was "mean" or not. I was being serious cause too when I said that Cohn follows Brett around like a steer. None of Bretts other flings usually stays around all clingy like Cohn is. He just bothers me and i just happen to express my feeling towards him. Also, Brett told me to "show a little breeding"?  Um...I have proper social behavior and I can show it, just not to Robert. I think he should "show a little breeding" cause its not proper to be all over a women who is spoken for.

Brett Ashley

“I lay awake and my mind jumping around. Then I couldn’t keep away from it, and started to think about Brett and all the rest went away. I was thinking about Brett and my mind stopped jumping around and started to go in sort of smooth waves. Then all the sudden I started to cry.” (Hemingway 39)

I guess Jake has more problems than I thought; now he can’t even go to sleep. He should become a night owl. I know he loves me and wants to be with me, but I shouldn’t be his only focus. Jake should work on self-control; everyone should only do what they want, even if their body wants to do otherwise. I like that I can be the center of a guy’s life, even though he’s just a small part of mine, it gives me a rush. My beauty can make the strongest of men become weak, like easy to control dog, and I love it. I like that some people are just reduced to rumble, because of me. I want to control as many people as I can. Jake is just a mere pebble under the control of my flowing river. 

Robert Cohn

 

Robert Cohn

Portrayed by Wes Bentley

"You can't get away from yourself by moving from one place to another." (Hemingway 19)

          I don't care what anyone says, going to South America would be everything I need. I'm tired of the same old scene and I want something more and I know I will be able to get that somewhere else. I know because of something a read not too long ago, and if the author could go away to feel better than so can I. I want to go and I quite frankly don't have a care what others tell me. Oh how I wish for things to be like how they use to be, but maybe with Brett, yeah being with Brett would be nice. 

             

Brett Ashley

“He calls her Circe," Mike said. "He claims she turns men into swine"(Hemingway 148).

 The truth is I cannot deny the allegations placed upon me. They are all true. I like men and it is not a crime, so why should I limit myself to just one. I have the looks the wit and the charisma to attract them. I also have a certain je nais se quois that men just cannot get enough of. I cannot say that i am innocent or that I do not know what i am doing because I am certainly aware. My song is that of misery and anguish, but the truth is I love it.I love the pain of heartbreak and I truly enjoy the toxicity of horrible relationships. I cannot saw that these men were horrible before they came to me. That would be a darn lie. I corrupt men for my own purpose and I have no remorse. What can I say? I am more than what meets the eye.

Robert Cohn

Robert Cohn

"'No, I'd like to get this settled.' He turned away from me. 'Do you think you amount to something, Cohn? Do you think you belong here among us? People who are out to have a good time? For God's sake don't be so noisy, Cohn!'" (Hemingway 181)

Believe it or not, Michael, I've heard this all before. Now that I've returned to the homely bosom of my fiancee and seen what an idiot I was, this only hurts more than it did at that moment. Perhaps I did think I was one of you. Once, a very long time ago, I believed I was a part of you lost and listless souls drifting about in Pampalona. I belonged to Brett then, back before I made the second-biggest mistake of my life. My biggest mistake after that was bothering to indulge in your little escapes from reality. You wished me not to be so noisy, but what about you, Michael? With your belligerence while drunk and your pride despite having no money to your name? I've been humbled to the point of embarrassment: this I recognize fully and wholeheartedly. So when will all of your stumbling and prideful egos follow?

Jake Barnes

"This was the Brett, that I had felt like crying about. Then I thought of her walking up the street and stepping into the car, as I had last seen her, and of course in a little while I felt like hell again. It is awfully easy to be hard-boiled about everything in the daytime, but at night it is another thing" (Hemingway 42).

     Once again I sit and watch as Brett goes off with another man. It pains me that I can't stop her and all I can do is sit and cry. Every day I am taunted with what I can't have and I have to keep up a tough act. On the other hand at night I barely survive. When it's dark it is so easy for me to think of the things I am unhappy about. All I want is to be with Brett, but that's impossible. It is so hard for me to stay strong when I see her with other men when I know we should be together. She whispers sweet nothings into my ear but none of them help when I'm alone with my thoughts. In the daytime it is easy for me to be rational and understand why we have to be apart but at night that's another thing. 

Jake and Brett

"Oh Jake," Brett said," we could have had such a damned good time together." Ahead was a mounted policeman in khaki directing traffic. He raised his baton. The car slowed suddenly pressing Brett against me. "Yes," I said, "Isn’t' it pretty to think so?"(Hemingway 250)

I had to take into perspective what she had said and figure out the truth. Maybe it would’ve been great but I never would’ve been truly happy with her. We both have different values; she doesn’t care about maintaining relationships but rather having physical endeavors, something she can’t have with me. She is just trying to use me even though she knows she doesn’t want somebody like me. At this point I knew I didn’t want to be with her, I did not love her. It was supposed to be a perfect dream with a happy ending, but it is all slipping away now. I am just one of those man that Brett keeps going after. I moved my shoulder from off her cold, heartless body and said, “No.”

Robert Cohn

          

Robert Cohn

"Listen, Robert, going to another country doesn't make any difference. I've tried all that. You can't get away from yourself by moving from one place to another." (Hemingway 18)

     I admit Jake, you're right; I can't run away from myself. However, what else am I supposed to do? Join you and your lost generation? Live my life like you, and simply accept that I'll never feel satisfied? How can you blame me for trying to find happiness? I don't have any friends, the women I fall in love with are manipulative and abusive, and I'm always looked down on since I'm the only one in the group who didn't fight in the war. On top of it all, I'm constantly bullied for being Jewish. Can you really blame me for trying to get away from all of my insecurities, and trying to find purpose? I know you share these feelings, so you should know better than anyone that this is no way to live. I'd rather spend my life chasing something that I'll never reach than just accept this absolute emptiness.

Lady Brett Ashley

LADY BRETT ASHLEY 

"I’m thirty-four, you know. I’m not going to be one of those b****** that ruins children."

It would be a lie to say that I did not think I was damned in love with Romero. The thought of him was everything. He was the most good looking boy I have ever seen and for a foolish moment, I believed that I could be with him. I am such a fool. He is so pure and morally correct. My morals? They died off along with the war. When he started asking me to change, everything became too real. My heart and sentiments are far too gone to have a serious relationship. I will sure as hell miss Romero, but at least I have Jake, my constant reminder of what could be, but never can.

Mike Campbell

Mike Campbell

“I’m not one of you literary chaps.” Mike stood shakily 
and leaned against the table. “I’m not clever. But I do 
know when I’m not wanted. Why don’t you see when you’re not wanted, Cohn? Go away. Go away, for God’s sake. Take that sad Jewish face away. Don’t you think I'm right?” (Hemingway 181)

Alright, I know that may sound pretty harsh, but you don’t know Cohn like I, unfortunately, do. That weasel of a man follows my Brett around like a lost puppy. I’ve come to terms with the fact that Brett sleeps around with other men.  What helped me ease into this acceptance is the fact that Brett takes care of me even though I am a bankrupt and I may or may not have a problem with alcohol. But, Cohn needs to realize that he is not special. He is just another name on Brett’s long list of lovers. Someone had to put Cohn in his place. He is like an insecure child, and no one can have a good time with him moping around. I just told him what everyone was thinking. Don’t you think I’m right?

Mike Campbell

"He knocked Mike down, too,” Edna said. 

“He didn’t knock me out,” Mike said. “I just lay there... I’m not one of these chaps likes being knocked about. I never play games, even.”

Mike took a drink." (Hemingway 195)

What? Maybe I don’t feel like fighting back. In fact, I don’t feel like doing anything most of the time. Except drink. I like drinking. It makes me feel better. I don't have to think about my life when I get drunk. What’s the point? I don’t have a purpose. Ever since the war ended, I've just been wandering around in a drunken haze. I don’t care. After the war ended, I met Brett and fell in love with her, but I soon found out about her promiscuous ways. My fiancé cheats right in front of me. I don’t care. Cohn was completely out of line for starting the fight. It’s all his fault even if I technically initiated it. Who does this Jew think he is, following Brett everywhere. He should get over her and stop waving it in my face. I don’t care anymore, okay? Except I do care. Can I borrow 100 pesetas from you? I have to pay someone back.

Lady Brett Ashley

“Don’t we pay for all the things we do, though? . . . When I think of the hell I put chaps through. I’m paying for it all now” (Hemingway 34). 

 Though I recall saying this back in Paris, it still applies after everything that has happened. It is sad because it will probably apply for the rest of my life. I inflict pain, I gain pain. I have put every man that has come into my life through trouble and heartache. I have affected Jake, The Count, Mike, Robert, and Pedro. I know what I am doing but I cannot help being so attractive and having men swooned over me. I love having a physical relationship with men but I have never wanted more than that. Yes, I love Jake, and yes I had love for Pedro Romero as well. However, I know having a sentimental relationship with them, or any man for that matter, would only destroy them in the long run. I believe I am paying for what I have put men through because I am miserable myself. I do not want be like all these other women who live to please a man. I am independent and I am my own person. I should be able to what I like when I like without disapproval. I wish more men could look at it in the same light. Look at Jake; he loves me but, he knows how I am and even has come to accept it. Cohn became obsessed with me ever since we were in San Sebastian. I caused him so much pain that he decided to leave the country. My morals are so diminished that when I was with Pedro, as perfect as can be, I had to call it off because I know how bad I am. You know, I recall be referred to as a sadist. At first, I denied it but now I might have to agree with it. Misery loves company.

Examples

Lady Brett Ashley

"It’s funny," I said. "It’s very funny. And it’s a lot of fun, too, to be in love." 

"Do you think so?" her eyes looked flat again. 

"I don’t mean fun that way. In a way it’s an enjoyable feeling." 

"No," she said. "I think it’s hell on earth." (4.4)

He's insane. It's as if he gains pleasure from this roller coaster that we're in. All I want is to be his. Jake thinks that this is a game. I'll show him how to play. Maybe he just wants my body and not my mind. After all that I've been through I'm sick and tired of men. I don't imagine there being a happily ever after or some Prince Charming. I'm my own hero. It shouldn't be so important for a woman to find a man and settle down and have a family. What's the point in being young if you can't have a little fun?

Jake Barnes

"You're an expatriate. You've lost touch with the soil. You get precious. Fake European standards have ruined you. You drink yourself to death. You become obsessed by sex. You spend all your time talking, not working. You are an expatriate, see. You hang around cafés." (Hemingway 120)

Sigh. Yes Bill, I have lost touch with the soil. Yes, those fake standards have ruined me. I do drink myself to death, but, what do you expect? After everything that has happened- with the effects of what WWI has done to me, with Brett not staying by my side and not being able to give her what she wants- what else can I do but these things? To numb my thoughts and feelings, this is the only way. It helps me feel more of a man then I already do. Did you ever think about that Bill, have you? But please don't think you've hurt my feelings. Trust me, everything that you've said is true. I am one of the worst type of expatriates.

Jake Barnes

   "Why I felt that impulse to devil I do not know. Of course I do know. I was blind, unforgivingly jealous of what happened to him. The fact that I took it as a matter of course did not alter that any. I certainly did hate him. I do not think I ever really hated him until he had that little spell of superiority at lunch – that and when he went through all that barbering. So I put the telegram in my pocket. The telegram came to me, anyway."(Hemingway 105)

   That Jewish fool, trying to go after Brett. Brett doesn't want him. To hell with Cohn! If anything Brett wants me. I'll be damned if I see her run off with him than with me. Cohn doesn't know what he's getting himself into with Brett. He doesn't know her like I do. He's a damned fool trying to say he knows her better than I do. She'll destroy him, and he doesn't even know it. He'll see, He'll get what he deserves. To hell with Robert Cohn.  

Brett Ashley

" She [Brett] was looking into my eyes with that way she had of looking that made you wonder whether she really saw out of her own eyes. They would look on and on after every one else's eyes in the world would have stopped looking." (Hemingway 34)

I seem to charm men with my beauty and attitude. I can't help if they fall for me, but I know I'm not going to be committed. I love to have fun and party.When guys look into my eyes, it's like they have an instant attraction. They want to get know me and whats going on inside my head.Unfortunately I sometimes feel miserable. I do enjoy my time with these guys but at the end of the day I still feel unsatisfied. Jake is there for me, but hes not enough.