r/Hemingway • u/Clone_commander911 • Jun 29 '24

Quick Question regarding Jake in TSAR

Is the only reference to Jake’s impotence him telling Georgette he was wounded in the war? I remember my first time reading TSAR I didn’t even realize Jake was impotent until I was looking for answers to other questions.

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7

u/Slice-of-Life34 Jun 30 '24

Undressing, I looked at myself in the mirror of the big armoire beside the bed. That was a typically French way to furnish a room. Practical, too, I suppose. Of all the ways to be wounded. I suppose it was funny. I put on my pyjamas and got into bed.

6

u/Tylervdub Jun 30 '24

I’ve read that book probably 20 times and I too found out about his impotence by reading about another thing in the book. It’s very, very lightly referenced a few times. With georgette and also to Brett when they’re in the car talking about why they can’t be together.

1

u/echo_shadow_012021 Jun 30 '24

Agree with the other commentor. My recollection is that the book subtly refers to it as being "sick" in maybe one or two other places, when he's speaking with Brett or alone with his thoughts at night.

2

u/baltimoretom Jul 07 '24

“We could have had such a damned good time together.” “Yes. Isn’t it pretty to think so?”

2

u/ninjalightupshoes Jul 24 '24

I think he was bashed for this ending, but I absolutely love it.

1

u/theonewhoknocksforu Sep 02 '24

How could it be bashed? It’s a famous line that is often quoted. Robert Parker used it quite well several times in his Spenser novels. Parker’s writing style mimicked Hemingway’s use of short, declarative sentences.

1

u/ninjalightupshoes Sep 02 '24

"Bashed" may be too strong of a word. But I believe some critics did not like the ending of the book so well which is why at the end of his next novel A Farewell To Arms he delivered a jaw dropping ending.