In Ernest Hemingway’s, The Sun Also Rises, there is a clear motif of bulls and steers due to Jake’s interest in bull-fighting. The difference between bulls and steers is primarily to do with their masculinity. Of the two the steer is the less masculine one as it is castrated and it is fattened for the ultimate purpose of being sold as meat. Bulls on the other hand, are more masculine with a muscly build and a violent nature. Additionally, the steer tends to have a more conformist mind while the bull has a mind of its own.
In the literal sense, Jake is considered the steer due to his physical inability to have sex with Brett and Cohn would be the physically muscular boxer or the bull. However this interpretation is on a superficial and outwardly physical level. In fact, I would consider Jake and Cohn both as steers or puppets of conformity. Both these characters are easily manipulated and do not mind hopping onto the bandwagon of wandering aimlessly in life. Yet Jake does possess some bull-like characteristics. I found hints of this side of him when he explains that one cannot run away from their internal problems just by travelling. He claims that internal problems must be solved internally and that external solutions are either temporary or dissatisfying. This message from Jake displays signs of independent thinking, maturity, and wisdom (all qualities a steer is incapable of having). In another example, Jake refuses to resort to alcohol although he is down and Brett persuades him. This shows the lack of conformity in Jake because all those around him resort to alcohol any time they are down or perplexed on how to handle the situations of their life in the “lost generation” of post-World War One. Jake’s steer-like characteristics are more imminent than his bull-like characteristics. Even in the writing style, Jake seems to more of a listening observer who goes with the flow rather than someone who would lead or be an aggressor. Therefore Jake could be categorized as generally steer-like character with some bull-like traits. When I hear the word steer, I think of a steering wheel. A steering wheel is a device which is merely a tool for a greater idea of moving left or right. I found this relevant to Cohn’s character. He is considered invaluable in the greater scheme of things and merely follows the direction which Brett wants him to go. Although seemingly bull-like on the outside due to his physical build, Cohn is a steer to the core that follows the in-crowd and is manipulated by his love.
As for the bulls of the plot, the character that first comes to mind is Mike for his jabbing nature. However I believe Hemingway sets up the idea of a bull in a different way through Jake’s descriptions of bull-fighting. He idealizes the practice and sees perfection and individuality in the sport. Therefore I believe that the bulls in the novel are not the aggressive ones, but instead are Montoya and Romero for their “officionado”, honesty, and chivalry. Of the two I believe Romero is the ideal bull of the novel. This is because he controls the aggressor, the bull, implying that he is more aggressive and intellectual than the bull. Therefore Pedro Romero and Montoya, for being able to identify and possess “officionado”, are Hemingway’s bulls.
rohit617 