Beginning with Cohn

The question as to why Hemingway begins with Cohn character is an interesting one that finds its source in the themes of the book. Cohn’s life examined in detail shows the reader an in depth snapshot the main themes of the novel epitomized in the descriptions by Jake of Cohn. Cohn is lost; he does not know where his life is going. This is an idea that is reflected throughout the novel, but is really best seen though the eyes of an outside observer. Further, the ideas of fidelity and sex can also be seen just as clearly in this examination. By starting with Cohn and his desire to go to South America we can see the spirit that drive the whole book is not just limited to the main character it is already established that is universal, that it affects many others.

               In terms of the partial of Cohn’s relationship we can see even more clearly in the scene where Jake talks about a trip and a girl. Cohn’s girlfriend gets mad and he reveals that she forbids him from going on any trips involving girls. This type of interaction shows the idea of infidelity and sex in way that frames it for the rest of the novel, by showing us the prospective of a character able to still have sex. This allows us to understand later Brett character better, by starting the story with Cohn prospective.

               The listlessness in the novel is a hard concept to relate to and by showing the build up to Cohn’s desire to travel from his prospective it allows the reader to understand this idea and theme in a more profound way. If the story just began with Jake and had his friend show up and randomly say he wanted to go to South America the scene would lose a lot of its depth as we would not understand the force motivating it. This understanding of the listless nature of the time allows the reader to understand the other characters later in the novel as they show up.  

               However starting with Cohn does not just serve to help the reader understand the themes at play it also helps the reader understand Cohn. Cohn’s actions when he punches various people later on are humanized and carry a much greater meaning because the readers understand who Cohn is. In fact this is true for all of Cohn’s actions. Cohn is in many ways a strange character he does many things that seem ration or extreme, like how he follows Brett so loyally and doggedly. It helps show why he goes so far as to resort to physical violence and then ask to be forgiven soon after. He is a character of conflicting actions. He hits then apologizes, he want to be accepted, but puts himself in conflict with the other characters. It is because we can see him from Jake's narration in detail at the beginning that we can understand this complicated complex character and all the themes and ideas of the novel he represents.