The Sun Also Rises Through Chapter 18

The main component of this reading that surprised me is very related to one we discussed in the past. In this reading, a man, Vicente Girones is killed by a bull. Later on, this bull is killed by Pedro Romero, the matador with whom Brett is currently infatuated at this point in the story. When I first read this, I knew there was symbolism present, but I had yet to gain a complete understanding. As I continued to read, the plot progresses to the point where Cohn finds out about Brett and Romero, and he angrily storms to the room where the two were and beat Romero severely. When Vicente was killed at the beginning of this plot point, many kept saying he died doing something "for fun". Similarly, all of Brett's suitors pursue her, often even after finding out that she is involved with other men at the same time. She continues this cycle without hesitating, just as the bull does when he tramples someone; they both move on from a tragedy and carry on with their lives.  However, these two parallels differ. While Romero sweeps in and stops the bull from being able to continue on, Brett is still able to move on with her romantic ventures. When Cohn realizes that he is being played, even he still wants to be with Brett. He does not leave on his own volition, as we are initially led to believe. We later learn that Cohn went to the room, attacked Romero, and continued to plead with Brett and profess his feelings for her. Specifically, “Cohn was crying and telling her how much he loved her, and she was telling him not to be a ruddy ass.” (205) Brett holds all of the power, just as bulls often do in the fiestas. When Cohn leaves, Brett is able to keep going on with her life entertaining herself with her suitors, seen when the characters go to the bull fight the next day without Cohn as though nothing had happened.