Sunday, February 20, 2011

Extended Journal Response Blog

     When Hemingway created a hero in "The Sun Also Rises," he most certainly didn't have a Superman, Spiderman, or Batman theme in mind.  His idea of a hero was not a man dressed in tights that had superhuman strength, or could swing from buildings by shooting spiderwebs from his wrists.  His idea of a hero was not a flying, cape-adorned, mindless douche bag.  His hero neither rescued poor puppies in distress, killed the Green Goblin, or sought out any other means of solving mankind's predicaments.  In fact, Hemingway’s hero can barely—if at all—compare to our modern heroes.  We all know what this hero isn’t now; let’s move on to what could possibly make this character one.
     Nineteen-year-old bullfighter Romero is Hemingway’s hero in that he exhibits "grace under pressure," handles himself assuredly and confronts the danger head-on through his bullfighting, bravery, purity, and code of ethics.  
     The book’s main character (Jake) often notes that “He had very nice manners.”  He bowed, smiled often, bought drinks for people, and was all-around a sociable and polite young man.  He was did not disrespect anyone, specifically Brett (the beautiful woman loved by all men), and he wasn’t flirty, pushy, or constantly “tight” (drunk.)  He wasn’t proud or boastful either.    
     Romero was also described as “a damned good-looking boy.”  He was tan, muscular, tough-looking, and sexy while simultaneously emitting purity, and boyish-innocence. 
     All of these attributes were displayed most vibrantly while he was bullfighting.  Jake describes in detail what a wonder it was to watch Romero at this sport: “Romero was the whole show.  I do not think Brett saw any other bullfighter.  No one else did either, except the hard-shelled technicians.  It was all Romero.  There were two other matadors, but they did not count….Romero took the bull away from a fallen horse with his cape, and held him with the cape and turned him, smoothly and suavely, never wasting the bull…Romero avoided every brusque movement and saved his bulls or the last when he wanted them, not winded and decomposed but smoothly worn down…Romero never made any contortions, always it was straight and pure and natural in line.  The others twisted themselves like corkscrews, their elbows raised, and leaned against the flanks of the bull after his horns had passed, to give a faked look of danger.  Afterward, all that was faked turned bad and gave an unpleasant feeling.  Romero’s bullfighting gave real emotion, because he kept the absolutely purity of line in his movements and always quietly and calmly let the horns pass him close each time….Romero had the old thing, the holding of his purity of line through the maximum of exposure, while he dominated the bull by making him realize he was unattainable, while he prepared him for the killing.” 
     Through this passage, it is clearly evident what an extraordinary, talented, graceful, and authentic bullfighter Romero is.  After only working at the sport three years, he has mastered risky techniques that no other fighters in the ring have.  He has learned old tricks and makes intelligent, thoughtful moves towards his goal.  He continues to fight when he is injured; whenever he is knocked down, he gets back up, whether it is in a fist-fight with Robert Cohn or being stamped on by a wild bull.   
     Compared to the other book’s characters, he is exceptionally strong and purpose-driven.  While the rest are laden down with painful memories of WWI, or mourning lost love and burying their troubles in alcohol, constant social functions, and sex, Romero is fulfilling his dreams.  He is not ambling through life like “The Lost Generation,” waiting for happiness and success to come to him, but is rather running full speed towards them.  He does not, like every other man, have to fight to get Brett’s attention; she is automatically drawn to him.  Their relationship is natural and healthy because Romero does not allow himself to become too attached. 
     Romero is not Superman, but he is truly a hero in that he exhibits "grace under pressure," handles himself assuredly and confronts the danger head-on through his bullfighting, bravery, purity, and code of ethics.    
        
       

Extended Journal Response Blog

    
     When Hemingway created a hero in "The Sun Also Rises," he most certainly didn't have a Superman, Spiderman, or Batman theme in mind.  His idea of a hero was not a man dressed in tights that had superhuman strength, or could swing from buildings by shooting spiderwebs from his wrists.  His idea of a hero was not a flying, cape-adorned, mindless douche bag.  His hero neither rescued poor puppies in distress, killed the Green Goblin, or sought out any other means of solving mankind's predicaments.  In fact, Hemingway’s hero can barely—if at all—compare to our modern heroes.  We all know what this hero isn’t now; let’s move on to what could possibly make this character one.
     Nineteen-year-old bullfighter Romero is Hemingway’s hero in that he exhibits "grace under pressure," handles himself assuredly and confronts the danger head-on through his bullfighting, bravery, purity, and code of ethics. 
     The book’s main character (Jake) often notes that “He had very nice manners.”  He bowed, smiled often, bought drinks for people, and was all-around a sociable and polite young man.  He was did not disrespect anyone, specifically Brett (the beautiful woman loved by all men), and he wasn’t flirty, pushy, or constantly “tight” (drunk.)  He wasn’t proud or boastful either.    
     Romero was also described as “a damned good-looking boy.”  He was tan, muscular, tough-looking, and sexy while simultaneously emitting purity, and boyish-innocence. 
     All of these attributes were displayed most vibrantly while he was bullfighting.  Jake describes in detail what a wonder it was to watch Romero at this sport: “Romero was the whole show.  I do not think Brett saw any other bullfighter.  No one else did either, except the hard-shelled technicians.  It was all Romero.  There were two other matadors, but they did not count….Romero took the bull away from a fallen horse with his cape, and held him with the cape and turned him, smoothly and suavely, never wasting the bull…Romero avoided every brusque movement and saved his bulls or the last when he wanted them, not winded and decomposed but smoothly worn down…Romero never made any contortions, always it was straight and pure and natural in line.  The others twisted themselves like corkscrews, their elbows raised, and leaned against the flanks of the bull after his horns had passed, to give a faked look of danger.  Afterward, all that was faked turned bad and gave an unpleasant feeling.  Romero’s bullfighting gave real emotion, because he kept the absolutely purity of line in his movements and always quietly and calmly let the horns pass him close each time….Romero had the old thing, the holding of his purity of line through the maximum of exposure, while he dominated the bull by making him realize he was unattainable, while he prepared him for the killing.” 
     Through this passage, it is clearly evident what an extraordinary, talented, graceful, and authentic bullfighter Romero is.  After only working at the sport three years, he has mastered risky techniques that no other fighters in the ring have.  He has learned old tricks and makes intelligent, thoughtful moves towards his goal.  He continues to fight when he is injured; whenever he is knocked down, he gets back up, whether it is in a fist-fight with Robert Cohn or being stamped on by a wild bull.   
     Compared to the other book’s characters, he is exceptionally strong and purpose-driven.  While the rest are laden down with painful memories of WWI, or mourning lost love and burying their troubles in alcohol, constant social functions, and sex, Romero is fulfilling his dreams.  He is not ambling through life like “The Lost Generation,” waiting for happiness and success to come to him, but is rather running full speed towards them.  He does not, like every other man, have to fight to get Brett’s attention; she is automatically drawn to him.  Their relationship is natural and healthy because Romero does not allow himself to become too attached. 
     Romero is not Superman, but he is truly a hero in that he exhibits "grace under pressure," handles himself assuredly and confronts the danger head-on through his bullfighting, bravery, purity, and code of ethics.