As the story begins we are introduced to Jake Barnes. He is the acclaimed narrator of the novel as well as main character. The interesting part of the first chapter is it doesnt start off about Jake. It starts off with Jake talking about someone else, Robert Cohn. This to be a great insight on Jakes character it shows that he is very observant on the people he comes to meet in life.
The character of Robert Cohn is rather depressing he was from a wealthy Jewish family and attended Princeton eventually getting the mediocre feeling resulting in boxing. He became the mid weight champion and shortly married after his graduation. He had three kids and then eventually after 5 years decided to walk out on his wife, but she left him first. Cohn moved to California and met the conniving Frances Clyne.
Frances Clyne is a social butterfly and she proves to be very manipulative and craves on her and others status. Cohn has an unsuccessful magazine business and under Frances persuasions they leave to Paris. In Paris, Cohn has few friends, one being our narrator Jake, and he finishes a novel. Meanwhile, Frances begins to loose her beauty and age and as her beauty fades he attitude changes immensely.
Once a beautiful woman she was able to manipulate and gain power, but as her beauty fades she looses her power as well.
In the winter Cohn goes to New York to find a publisher for his novels. He finds success and confidences as the publishers praise him and the women come flocking in. he ends up reading a story about an English man who travels inspiring him to go out and travel the world. When he returns he asks Jake to come with him from South America. After several drinks Jake is convinced that Cohn is running from himself and in many cases it is true.
The next day we get more into Jakes character, he goes out a lot and drinks a lot and gets the attention of beautiful women but relationships never go anywhere so they are all only acquaintances. He meets a prostitute name Georgette and she throws herself at Jake and he turns her down because sexual activity is impossible for him. Later in the night Georgette and Jake are invited by Cohn and Frances to go out dancing.
In the club we meet Lade Brett Ashley, Jakes love. The relationship between the two characters is intense but due to Jakes incapability it only brings heart ache. Brett is a loose woman and a drunk who hangs around men freely. Personally, there is the impression that she really does love Jake, but her pleasure seems to be more priority then her love. Jake is very bitter when he talks to Cohn about her. He really loves her but she is the perfect girl he will never have.
Frances is becoming rattled by Cohns decision on NOT marrying her and at dinner causes a huge scene. Jake returns home to find Brett and the Greek count. Thy send Count off and Brett shares the news that she is leaving for San Sebastian, Spain for the best of the both of them. Jake wants them to live together, but Brett says she will only cheat on him and make him unhappy. Chapter 7 ends with the two of them unhappy with the fact they are in love but can never be.
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