The Sun Also Rises By Ernest Hemingway

As a result of World War I, the interest in psychology increased during the 1920s. Like many of his contemporaries, psychological research affected Ernest Hemingway’s literature. Hemingway’s father had always encouraged him to enter the medical field but Ernest was more of an outdoorsman that found his career in literature (Gorman). Although he did not pursue a medical career, Hemingway was still interested in science, causing Freudian and Adlerian psychology to influence his writing. Alfred Adler formed the Individual Psychology Society in 1911, allowing him to develop and communicate his principles of teleology and masculine protest (Boeree 4). Sigmund Freud published his famous work Interpretation of Dreams in 1900, (3). His main developments
Telelogy is the idea that individuals are driven for perfection (Mitchell). In the novel, the majority of the characters are writers living in Paris after leaving the United States to find a fresh muse, hoping to become wealthy. Although they are not all successful, all of these writers are examples of teleology because they act striving for perfection in their novels. Secondly, Brett’s actions share the common desire of finding a perfect relationship. At first, she has an affair with Jake despite being married. The two have a strong emotional relationship, but Jake’s war wounds prevent the couple from having an intimate physical relationship. Although Brett professes to Jake, “love you? I simply turn all jelly when you touch me” (Hemingway 34), the lack of a physical relationship disappoints Brett, causing seek a perfect relationship with someone else. Later, Brett divorces her second husband, and rapidly becomes engaged before the divorce is finalized. Then, her new marriage does not meet her ideal standards, so she has an affair with Cohn, who adores her, and Romero, a masculine fighter. She is temporarily pleased with these men, but ultimately leaves both of them, looking for
He defines himself through his accomplishments and strives for perfection with Brett. Cohn is first introduced as a Princeton graduate and middleweight boxing champion because he primarily defines himself by his success. While Jake and other characters are not interested in Cohn’s successful past, Cohn concentrates on the examples of his perfection. Similarly, Cohn obsesses over his successful novel and his bridge winning streak, insisting “how a man could always make a living at bridge if he were ever forced to” (Hemingway 17) . Also, when Cohn starts to stop viewing his life as perfect and wants a new adventure, he tries to convince Jake to go to South America (19). Lastly, Cohn sees Brett as perfection, and after he is first introduced to her, all of his actions reflect his desire to win over her. He spends as much time as he can with her, even going on vacation with her, and he easily becomes jealous by her friendly and romantic relationships with other men. The thought of Brett consumes his life, changing nearly every aspect of it, even causing “his tennis game to go all to pieces” (Hemingway 52). Furthermore, his strive for Brett causes him to change his relationship with Frances because he is no longer satisfied with their relationship. Frances commented, “he wants to leave me… he once told every one that we were going to be married, and I told my mother and every one, and now he doesn’t want to do