The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway

In the novel The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway, a reader is forced to decide weather the spite that the Jake has for Chon originates from Jakeâ„-s racist background, or his deeply seeded jealousy of Chon for having a brief affair with Brett. Even though it is clear that Jake has racist views, the hatred he has for his former friend Chon Chon is strictly based on the jealousy he feels towards Chon for the weekend he spent with Brett.

Jake goes in to great detail about Chonâ„-s early life. He speaks highly and admiringly of Chon, but in a condescending way. A reader get her first hint on page one that Jake has some racist feelings toward Chon. He speaks of how Chon's nose was flattened in a boxing match and concluded the sentence with Ñ-...and it certainly improved his noseІ (11). This can be taken as a reference to the stereotypical Ñ-JewІ nose that is often associated with Jewish people. Jake and Chon are close friends, and Jake likes him up to the point where he becomes involved with Brett. Jake goes on and on about all of the relationship mistakes in Chonâ„-s life. There is an hint of jealousy that appears in Jake's tone. He states that women began to become attracted to Chon as he got older, and that it Ñ-changed him so that he was not so pleasant to have aroundІ (16). There is racism in Jakeâ„-s tone, but Jakeâ„-s problem with Chon is is strictly one of jealousy.

By this time Jake has already developed an extreme distaste for Chonâ„-s endeavors with women, but these feelings their peak when Chon and Lady Brett have a brief affair. Jake, having unconditional love for Brett, blames the entire incident on Chon. In turn, Chon makes as point to rub it in Jakeâ„-s face. Jake says Ñ-...it was giving him pleasure to be able to talk with the understanding that I knew there was something between themІ (106). Jake has a great deal of trouble dealing with this. It has nothing to do with the fact that Chon is Jewish, Jake is merely jealous of him. It would not be manly for Jake to openly admit his jealousy, and blame the jealousy on his harsh feelings toward Chon. As a result Jake falls back on the fact that Chon is Jewish, and uses that as an excuse for his anger.

One of the reasons that Jake was so hurt by Chonâ„-s affair with Brett was that Jake knows that Brett will always love him, and has no feelings for Chon other than a temporary lust. Chon is unable