“The Sun Also Rises” by Ernest Hemingway is a captivating story about life after World War I. It follows the adventures of Jake Barnes, an American journalist living in Paris, and his group of friends as they travel from Paris to Spain for a festival. At the heart of the story is a sad love tale between Jake and Lady Brett Ashley. Jake’s war injury makes their love story especially heartbreaking, reflecting the struggles of people dealing with the aftermath of war. Hemingway’s writing is straightforward but powerful. He uses simple words to express deep emotions and captures the characters’ feelings authentically through their conversations.  

In my 11th grade English class, taught by Mr. Pascal, we learned about the Hemingway code: an idea ever prevalent in the novel. Honor, courage, and endurance make up the Hemingway code, three traits Jake exemplifies in the novel, and those that every man should carry in his daily life. Another interesting aspect of the book is how it examines the changing roles of men and women after the war. Lady Brett Ashley, a strong and independent woman, challenges the usual expectations for women during that time. She acts how the modern women acts; a way that would never be expectable in the era the book was written in.

The book also explores the bullfighting culture in Spain, using it as a symbol for the characters trying to find meaning in a confusing world. I enjoyed learning about bullfighting. To Hemingway, bullfighting was life, and I can now see why. One day I hope to travel to Spain to see these bullfights for myself. “The Sun Also Rises” isn’t just another boring story from the 1920s; its themes and characters still resonate with readers today. It talks about subjects like the impact of war, the complexities of love, and the challenges of finding meaning in a chaotic world.  

This book is exciting. It’s a novel of emotion and meaning, and most of all, it’s a novel of enjoyment. In simple terms, “The Sun Also Rises” is a well-written book that takes you into the lives of its characters and makes you think about the ups and downs of life after an event like a war. If you enjoy riveting stories with deep emotions and meaningful themes, this classic novel is worth a read.